FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New York Giants running back Andre Brown has suffered a break in his left leg for the second straight year.
However, Brown says this latest injury -- suffered in Thursday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots -- is "a little crack in" his leg and that he can return this season. He also said he will not need surgery.
Brown limped off to the locker room just before the end of the first half of the 28-20 loss to the Pats in their preseason finale. X-rays revealed the fracture.
"Spirits are high, I'm positive," Brown said. "And I'm looking forward to coming back this season. It's not as serious as it was last year."
"It is not that bad of a break. Just a little tiny, a little crack in it. We still got to do more tests on it. Last time when I broke it we knew immediately what the problem was."
It has been a painful preseason for the Giants, who have watched starters such as Victor Cruz (heel), David Baas (left MCL), David Diehl (thumb) and Stevie Brown (knee) suffer injuries in games. Stevie Brown is out for the season with a torn ACL. Baas could miss the opener. And Diehl will be out for more than a month. Cruz, meanwhile, hopes to return to practice next week.
In addition to Brown, the Giants lost tight end Adrien Robinson to a left foot injury and safety Tyler Sash to a concussion against the Patriots. Robinson said his foot is not broken, but he was in a walking boot and on crutches after the game.
Brown said he absorbed a helmet to his leg, which caused the latest break.
"I didn't feel any pop or anything like that," Brown said. "That is definitely a positive.
"I have been here before and I know. They would let me know if it was [more] serious than it was, but it is not."
Brown fractured his left fibula last year in a win against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 25, but the Giants believed he could have returned if they had made the Super Bowl.
The team will have to decide what it will do with Brown with final cuts due on Saturday. If the Giants want to use the injured reserve/designated to return spot on the running back, that would allow Brown to come back after eight weeks. But Brown thinks he can return quicker than that and wants to remain on the active roster.
"Nah, I would love to stay active," he said. "That is how I feel. I feel I can come back from this within a couple of weeks, and that's how small it is. We are definitely looking at it positively."
Brown was ready to play a key role in the running game along with starter David Wilson. Coach Tom Coughlin wanted to have a one-two punch with the two running backs. Brown is the team's most well-rounded running back and is a trusted pass-protector for Eli Manning. He also was the goal-line back last year.
Brown's injury is a blow to the Giants, who have seventh-round pick Michael Cox, Ryan Torain and Da'Rel Scott on the roster behind Wilson and Brown.
Brown's six-year career has been marred by injuries. He also suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during training camp in his rookie season in 2009.
But while Brown was depressed after last year's fractured fibula, he was positive Thursday night.
"You guys have been around here, seen me go through stuff like this," he said . "And [I can be] a little down, but this time I am not. I am very positive and looking forward to it.
"Just a bump in the road."