Giants RB Jacobs questionable for Sunday's game

Dec 19, 2008 - 7:22 PM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs participated on a limited basis in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's showdown against the Carolina Panthers.

Jacobs, who sat out last weekend's 20-8 loss in Dallas with an injured left knee, has maintained all week that he wants to play.

Despite two straight defeats, the Giants can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by beating Carolina.

On Friday, New York head coach Tom Coughlin sounded optimistic that Jacobs would be in the lineup Sunday.

"Jacobs has practiced, really, all three days," Coughlin said. "Barring something that would be a setback - which means we have to see tomorrow morning, basically - and hopefully he will go."

Jacobs injured his knee in the Giants 20-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on December 7. He has scored 12 touchdowns and rushed for 1,002 yards this season.

The Giants (11-3) have wrapped up the NFC East title, but their current two-game skid has the team scrambling to secure a bye in the playoffs.

New York is in danger of finishing as the third seed in the NFC Playoffs if it loses to Carolina (11-3) and Minnesota (9-5) in the season finale.

If Atlanta (9-5) beats the Vikings this Sunday, the Giants would secure a bye regardless of the outcomes against Carolina.