Cornerback Trumaine McBride.

By Michael Eisen

Sept. 17, 2014

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – At 5-foot-9, Trumaine McBride is the shortest player on the Giants’ active roster. But this Sunday against the Houston Texans, he will play a big role in the secondary when he takes over for Walter Thurmond III as the team’s nickel cornerback.

Thurmond yesterday underwent surgery to repair the pectoral muscle he tore last Sunday vs. Arizona. In steps McBride, the seven-year pro who is in his second season with the Giants. He is confident the defensive backfield will not miss a beat without Thurmond, who has called himself the NFLs’ best slot corner,

“I don’t think so,” McBride said, “because I feel like each guy we have in the room could be starters, whether it’s me stepping up or it’s Zack Bowman or whether it’s bringing up a guy from the practice squad. I feel like we all have the skill sets to actually start.”

McBride proved that last year. He signed with the Giants on Jan 3, 2013 after sitting out the 2012 season following his release by Jacksonville. He played in 15 games and started 10 of them and contributed 32 tackles (25 solo) and two interceptions, both in the season finale vs. Washington. McBride got his opportunity last year because Aaron Ross and Corey Webster missed most of the season with injuries. Now another sidelined player has opened the door for him.

“It’s not a good thing that Walter’s hurt,” McBride said. “But then again, on the flip side for me, I have to make sure I’m prepared and make sure I’m ready to go. Just like last year, we got Webby hurt, Ross went down and then me, I had to come in and play. It’s basically the same thing for me this year.

“I feel like everyone that’s on the defense knows that I can play. They know it’s not going to be a drop off at all.”

The soft-spoken McBride played most often on the outside last season. But he believes the move inside to cover the slot receiver will be smooth.

“I’m just a football player,” he said. “Whether it’s outside or inside, I’m ready to play wherever.

“When you’re inside, you have a little bit more run fits, but if you’re playing man coverage, it’s man coverage. Me being inside, I have to be more aware of my help so I have to play to my help more.

“Like I said, I prepare every week like I’m a starter, so this is nothing… I don’t feel like this is anything different or like this is anything new for me, because each and every week, from the offseason to the preseason to now, I prepare like I’m a starter.”

Depending on what defense the Giants open the game in, he just might be one.

*Guard Eric Herman, who had been serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, today returned to the team’s Quest Diagnostics Training Center headquarters and attended practice after The Management Council informed the team that he is reinstated as a result of the terms of the league’s new PED Policy.

The Giants have been granted a two-day roster exemption for Herman that expires at 4 p.m. Friday.

*Four players did not practice today: linebackers Jon Beason (foot/ankle) and Devon Kennard (hamstring); wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring); and punter Steve Weatherford (left ankle).

Tackles Charles Brown (shoulder) and James Brewer (back) were limited. Defensive tackle Markus Kuhn, who missed the season’s first two games with an ankle injury, practiced fully.