EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Safety Antrel Rolle sat out practice Thursday and his status for Sunday's game against the Eagles is now in question.

"I would hope not," coach Tom Coughlin said, when asked if Rolle might miss the game. "But any time you keep 'em inside, there's a bit of a question."

Rolle is still bothered by the bruised knee he suffered against the Panthers last Thursday, when he collided with a television camera. He had an MRI on Wednesday, which revealed nothing more than a bruise. Rolle hasn't missed a game in his three seasons with the Giants.

"Right now, I can't say it's a for-sure thing," Rolle said. "In my mind, am I gonna play on Sunday? Yeah. God willing, everything goes as planned and my knee feels good enough to go out there."

Rolle said he was awake until 2 a.m. Thursday, doing leg extensions and squats and icing his knee, trying to get it ready for Sunday. "I'm just trying to make sure I'm able," he said. "If I can be at 90 percent, 85 percent on Sunday, I think that'll be good enough for me."

If Rolle can't go, the likely replacement is Stevie Brown -- a three-year vet the Giants picked up this spring. Brown, a former seventh-round draft pick out of Michigan, has started just one NFL game. But he did have an interception against the Panthers last week, playing in place of Rolle.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell sounded more confident than either Coughlin or Rolle about Rolle playing on Sunday. "I don't think there's any question about it," Fewell said. "I think he'll be ready to go."

• Others sitting out Thursday's practice were offensive tackle David Diehl (knee), linebacker Keith Rivers (hamstring) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (hamstring). All three were working on the side.

"He's making good progress," Coughlin said of Diehl. As for Diehl playing on Sunday? "I don't know," Coughlin said. "It's all speculative."

• Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (foot) was back on the field, as was cornerback Michael Coe (hamstring) -- both on a limited basis. The two of them missed practice Wednesday.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), cornerback Corey Webster (hand), wide receiver Domenik Hixon (concussion), and defensive end Adewale Ojomo (hamstring) participated fully in Thursday's practice.

Hixon had been serving as the team's third wide receiver, prior to the concussion. But Ramses Barden had a big game in Hixon's place last week, with nine catches for 138 yards against the Panthers.

"There'll be roles for everybody," Coughlin said. "Ramses has played well, Domenik has played well. Everybody will have the ball, have an opportunity."

Fewell confirmed that second-year cornerback Prince Amukamara will get his first NFL start on Sunday against the Eagles. He also said Webster was impressive in Thursday's practice, despite wearing a cast because of a broken bone in his right hand.