Osi could practice with Giants Monday

When the Giants return from their preseason game in Carolina this weekend, they could have a present waiting for them: Osi Umenyiora.

The disgruntled defensive end saw a specialist in Atlanta Thursday for his sore knee and, according to his agent, was given permission to return to the football field. The doctor and the Giants' medical staff will consult on how much he can do and develop a protocol for his practice.

"But hopefully he'll be back on the field on Monday," said his agent, Tony Agnone.

Agnone said Umenyiora does not need surgery at this point and said the knee injury is not as bad as the hip problem that limited Umenyiora to one practice a week last season.

It's widely speculated, however, that it is not only the sore knee that has kept Umenyiora sidelined since he reported for training camp. Umenyiora gave an affidavit that he was promised a new deal from the Giants or a trade to a team that would give him one. The two sides have batted ideas that include incentives back and forth, but they have remained far apart on an agreement.

"No real progress as far as the contract goes," Umenyiora wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

"There are still some issues we are trying to resolve," general manager Jerry Reese said, "but we expect him back soon."

Umenyiora was actually on a field Wednesday working on some football moves with a staffer while the team practiced nearby. Come Monday, perhaps he will be even closer to the action.

Giant steps

Tom Coughlin said he expects his starters to play 15 to 18 snaps in the preseason opener against the Panthers Saturday night . . . Travis Beckum (hamstring) and Clint Sintim (knee) missed a second straight practice and are unlikely to play in the preseason game . . . The Giants wasted little time in reassigning Steve Smith's No. 12 jersey to rookie Jerrel Jernigan. The third-round pick said he wore No. 3 in college and had been eyeing 12 because one plus two equals three . . . Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn said the team will continue to try punter Matt Dodge as a kickoff specialist. Quinn said Dodge has a strong leg but that his kicks can be erratic.