Ereck Flowers sits with preseason opener in jeopardy

The Giants will be in full pads for the first time this summer on Wednesday afternoon, the first training camp session that will more closely resemble honest-to-goodness football. All players look forward to this day, none more so than offensive linemen, who finally get to hit someone, rather than go through the blocking motions in shorts and t-shirts.

Ereck Flowers will miss out on this. The rookie left tackle is still bothered by a hip flexor issue and he said, although he is feeling better, he has not yet been cleared to return to work on the field.

Flowers sat out Monday’s practice and said the problem with his hip started the day before.

“I just fought through it,’’ he said. “I guess it got a little worse so I started getting treatment.’’

This past season at Miami, Flowers underwent knee surgery and missed only one game.

“I usually heal pretty fast and do pretty well,’’ he said.

If Flowers cannot get back on the field in the next day or so, it will compromise his chances of playing in the preseason opener Aug. 14 in Cincinnati, delaying his NFL debut. He said missing the first day of full-pad practice will be “very disappointing,’’ but did not think he will have to miss the game against the Bengals.

“I should be fine by then,’’ Flowers said.

Justin Pugh moved from left guard to left tackle this past Monday to fill in for Flowers.


(nypost.com)