Giants Notebook: Keith Rivers returns to Cincinnati; Chris Snee questionable

Injuries have prevented former Bengal and current Giants LB Keith Rivers from reaching his potential. (US Presswire)

Keith Rivers' time in Cincinnati has been defined as a major disappointment. The first-year Giants linebacker battled wrist injuries -- among other ailments -- and was limited to just 35 games after being drafted by the Bengals with the ninth-overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft.

But in spite of his rocky history in the Queen City, Rivers regards the Giants' road game in Cincinnati as just another “business trip.” In fact, Rivers said he looks back on his tenure with the Bengals as “good times.”

Obviously the feeling isn't completely mutual. The Bengals traded Rivers to the Giants for a fifth-round pick.

“I don't think it's ever been a question of my play,” Rivers said Friday. “It's been a question of being healthy.”

Rivers believes he and the Bengals were “never on the same page,” which is why a “fresh start” with the Giants began with so much promise.

Unfortunately, Rivers hasn't quite beaten the injury bug. When he has been healthy -- like in the first half of the opener against the Dallas Cowboys -- he's been great. But he's dealt with hamstring and calf issues ever since and has been listed as “questionable” for Sunday's game in Cincinnati.

“I feel good,” Rivers said. “I was able to make it through practice.”

There is a chance the team could be cautious with Rivers this Sunday because they do have weakside linebackers Michael Boley and Spencer Paysinger. With the bye week on the horizon, the Giants could elect to try and give him as much rest as possible before a Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers

Snee listed as questionable: CB Michael Coe (hamstring) will miss Sunday's game along with S Kenny Phillips (knee) and LB Jacquian Williams (knee).

That means the Giants will have only four cornerbacks (Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara, Jayron Hosley and Justin Tryon) against the Bengals. They could bring back recently suspended S Will Hill, who also plays nickelback, but that's not a guarantee. If they do decide to bring Hill back for Sunday's game, they'll have to do so before 4 p.m. on Saturday and the Giants will have to release or re-designate a player.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), Rivers (calf) and RG Chris Snee (ankle) are questionable for Sunday. Snee practiced for the first time this week on Friday, but wasn't entirely sure he'd be able to play in Cincinnati.

“I'd love to be out there, but that's a decision we haven't made yet,” he said, adding that his injury would have to be “pretty serious” for him to sit out.

C David Baas (ankle), LB Chase Blackburn (hamstring), RB Andre Brown (shoulder), DT Chris Canty (groin), WR Hakeem Nicks (knee) and TE Bear Pascoe (ankle) are probable.

Pascoe told CBSSports.com that he's feeling good and felt like his ankle improved throughout the week.

Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSGiants and @AlexRaskinNYC.