EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Giants have not made a decision yet on whether they will activate defensive tackle Chris Canty from the physically unable to perform list. Canty had offseason knee surgery.

"I prepare like I'm going to play, that's a decision that's totally up to the coaches," Canty said.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said "we'll see" when asked about Canty possibly being activated for Sunday's game against the Redskins, and praised the veteran for being in shape. Canty last played in the Super Bowl, before the team decided to put him on the PUP list to start this season.

"He's in outstanding shape condition-wise," Coughlin said. "He hasn't been hit, obviously. We'll come up with the right formula."

Canty, 29, was surprised when the team placed him on the PUP list, saying his knee felt better in late August than it had during the final few months of the 2012 season. He said earlier this week that it's been tough to miss all this time, but he's kept a positive outlook while watching from the sidelines.

Canty practiced with the team this week, but has to wait to find out if he will be activated. There's a three-week window for the Giants to do so, which began this week.

"Obviously I'm excited about having the potential opportunity to play in a football game," Canty said. "I don't know which way the coach is going to decide and we'll find out. It's tough."

The Giants are currently stretched thin and inexperienced at the defensive tackle spot as Rocky Bernard, who had been playing very well in Canty's absence, will miss his third straight game with a quadriceps injury. That leaves starter Linval Joseph, seventh-round pick Markus Kuhn and second-year player Marvin Austin as the team's defensive tackles. Austin is essentially in his rookie season after missing all of last year with an injury.

Even if Canty is active Sunday, there's no guarantee he could go back out there and give the team starting reps in his first game back. If he can get on the field, though, Canty believes he can aid the team.

"I always feel I can help this team and contribute in some fashion so from that perspective, I feel like I would be an asset, but that's the coach's decision, that's not my decision," Canty said. "I don't get paid to make that decision, I just get paid for performance."