Burress went down on the injury report as "did not practice" although he tried to do some things in the individual portion of today's 80-minute practice at the Arizona Cardinals' headquarters.

Burress stretched and loosened up with his teammates. For the first time since arriving in Phoenix, Burress ran a few routes in drills to test out his legs.

"He did run a few things in individual," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He ran a couple of slants. He took a play in the 'green' zone and that was about all we did with him.''

But the fact Burress was on the field instead of in the training room today gives the Giants optimism he could be able to play. The Giants wide receiver has been dealing with his ankle problems all season. His left knee has had problems off and on this year.

"He's improved,'" Coughlin said. "He's done it all year under all kinds of circumstances. We've just got to be hopeful he can do it one more time."

Burress stood on the side during the team portion of practice holding his helmet.

"Obviously, if we felt he could go, he would have gone the whole time," Coughlin said.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora missed today's practice with a sore thigh. He's listed as probable. Cornerback Kevin Dockery, who missed four of the past five games with a hip flexor, had his second consecutive full day of practice and is probable. Guard Rich Seubert, who injured a knee in the second half of the NFC Championship Game, had his second full day of practice this week and is also probable.

With a walkthrough scheduled for tomorrow at the Cardinals' facility, Coughlin felt good about the team's three days of work in Phoenix. He described practices as energetic and enthusiastic.