David Wilson is listed as a starter on the Giants Week 2 depth chart.

These team-released depth charts are often meaningless, but it could have been used to send a message to Wilson. It wasn't. Wilson is still on top, followed by Da'Rel Scott second and Michael Cox third. Brandon Jacobs is listed as "other." Barring another fumble or blown blitz pickup, we still expect Wilson to handle the majority of early-down carries in Sunday's game against the Broncos. The other backs project to get the passing-down and goal-line work.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin passed up another opportunity to declare David Wilson his starting running back in Thursday's presser, but said he has "shown good technique in practice holding onto ball."

Coughlin has nothing to gain from publicly anointing Wilson his starter, but has made it clear he remains a big part of the game plan. Perhaps Wilson will be benched for Sunday's opening drive against the Broncos, but he's still the heavy favorite to lead the G-Men in touches over Da'Rel Scott and Brandon Jacobs. He's a boom-or-bust RB2/FLEX option.

Coach Tom Coughlin reiterated that he's "confident" David Wilson will learn from his Week 1 mistakes.

The coaches are working hard with Wilson this week as they prep for Sunday's game against the Broncos. "He's following the technique that he's been taught," Coughlin said Wednesday. "And we'll see under pressure if he can continue to do that. ... He can do a good job of covering the ball up. He was careless and it cost us dearly. But I'm confident he's going to learn from it." Coughlin has repeatedly stated that the Giants "need" Wilson and the explosive back is "necessary." They're not giving up on him.

When asked Wednesday if David Wilson will start Sunday's game against the Broncos, coach Tom Coughlin said, "We'll see."

Coughlin isn't going to make any declarations, but it's clear Wilson is going to get the chance to redeem himself Sunday. "We need him. He has to overcome this issue. He's a marked man," Coughlin said. Newly acquired Brandon Jacobs is expected to help on passing situations and possibly at the goal-line. Da'Rel Scott is a third-string talent. Wilson, who lost just one fumble on 127 touches last year, is a good bet to get a majority of the early-down work whether he starts or not.

ESPN New York says the Giants are going to give David Wilson "an opportunity to prove that the fumbling was a one-game issue."

Coach Tom Coughlin reiterated Monday that the Giants will not be giving up on David Wilson.

Speaking in Monday's presser, Giants coach Tom Coughlin passed up a chance to call David Wilson his starting running back for Week 2.

"Not going to get into that," Coughlin said tersely. It's understandable with less than 24 hours having elapsed since Sunday evening's turnover-fueled meltdown. The Giants are also working out a host of veteran runners. More than likely, Da'Rel Scott will get the "start" against the Broncos, but Wilson will still lead the team in touches. The Giants are in no position to outright bench their talented second-year runner.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was noncommittal when asked if David Wilson will start in Week 2.

Wilson was benched in the second half of Sunday night's game after losing two fumbles and struggling in pass protection. "He's still very much in our thoughts,'' Coughlin said. "He's a very talented young man but you just can't do that. Every time they touch the ball you're going to turn it over? The plays looked like they were over to me.''

David Wilson was benched in the third quarter of Sunday night's game against the Cowboys after his second fumble.

Think about the worst game a running back could possibly have and then double it. Wilson lost his first fumble just four minutes into the opener, but coach Tom Coughlin stuck with him. A little later, Wilson got stuffed on a 1st-and-goal chance from the 1-yard line. On the next play, he blew a protection assignment that got Eli Manning sacked. Then, on the Giants' first possession of the third quarter, Wilson mind-numbingly lost another fumble. At that point, Coughlin had seen enough and benched his supremely talented yet mistake-prone back for good. Wilson finished with seven carries for 19 yards, no catches and the two lost fumbles. Da'Rel Scott finished out the game at running back. The Giants won't give up on Wilson, but a veteran signing this week is likely. They worked out Beanie Wells, Jonathan Dwyer and Tim Hightower last week. Andre Brown (leg) isn't eligible to return until Week 10.

Giants OC Kevin Gilbride wants David Wilson to "go out and have a bang-up game" this week against the Cowboys.

"We'd like to see David go maybe a little bit more than what we've done in the past," Gilbride continued. "Make a couple of big plays for us, and give us what we hope and feel he's capable of - a couple of dynamic plays and some athletic plays that not everybody can do." Wilson is fully expected to handle much of the third-down and goal-line work with Andre Brown (leg) out. New No. 2 Da'Rel Scott will mix in a bit. The Cowboys are going to be without two starting defensive linemen, making Wilson a strong RB2 play with RB1 upside for the opener.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed David Wilson will handle all goal-line carries, at least until Andre Brown (cracked leg) returns.

Wilson runs with power, velocity, and balance, so he should be just as effective as Brown in short-yardage situations, if not better. "He runs in there hard," Coughlin explained. "I don't have a problem with that at all. He's powerful, he's compact, he has tremendous leg strength, which is his forte." Wilson has a chance to start fast and make Brown a non-factor when he returns.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin hinted he is comfortable with David Wilson carrying a larger load in the wake of Andre Brown's left-leg fracture.

"You have to do what you have to do in order to win," Coughlin explained. "It is a game of strength and endurance and power and that kind of thing. David is a guy who has outstanding endurance and strength. I'm not aware of what the number (of carries) might be, but I'm sure we'll work that out." Wilson should have no trouble reaching 20-plus touches in Week 1 against the Cowboys. He's also the new favorite for all goal-line work.

David Wilson rushed for 37 yards on six carries and caught a four-yard pass in the Giants' preseason finale Thursday night.

He added a four-yard reception. The Giants surprisingly let their starters play a majority of the first half, and Wilson ripped off impressive runs as has become typical. He also received a carry at the Patriots' nine-yard line in the first quarter, gaining six yards and setting up Hakeem Nicks' three-yard touchdown catch. Wilson is still very much in the mix for deep red-zone and goal-line carries, despite popular belief Andre Brown is a touchdown vulture. Wilson put a nice bow on a dominant preseason where he tallied 24 carries for 179 yards (7.46 YPC), one touchdown, and seven receptions for 31 yards. Perhaps most importantly: Wilson didn't fumble once. He's a monster 2013 breakout candidate.

David Wilson had five carries for 92 yards and a touchdown in Saturday night's preseason game against the Jets.

Wilson ran down the left side of the field for an 84-yard touchdown on Giants' first play from scrimmage, but was used sparingly for the rest of the first-half. He continues to be the clear-cut early-down back and was removed in third down situations in favor of Andre Brown. Even as a two-down player, Wilson has major breakout potential this season. Through three preseason games, he has 24 touches for 169 total yards and one touchdown.

Speaking in a Friday radio interview, Giants GM Jerry Reese called David Wilson his starting running back, but said he expects Andre Brown to have a role.

"(Brown) had a terrific season going last year until he got hurt," Reese said. "(Brown's) had the injury bug a little bit since he's been in the league. But if he can stay healthy, and David Wilson comes on like we expect him too, we think we can have a pretty dynamic backfield." Wilson has been the Giants' clear early-down back this preseason, but has been losing nearly all third down snaps to Brown. The G-Men still aren't satisfied with Wilson's pass protection. We'll get our most revealing usage clues yet on the duo in Saturday's preseason game against the Jets.

David Wilson rushed eight times for 34 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards in the Giants' second preseason game Sunday night.

Wilson ripped off some explosive cuts and has consistently demonstrated his impressive burst throughout August. He's still losing third-down snaps to Andre Brown, who is better in pass protection. Through two exhibition contests, Wilson has 13 carries for 50 yards (3.85 YPC) and four catches for 27 yards. Due to the committee, Wilson is only a fantasy RB2. He does have RB1 upside.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin was critical of David Wilson's pass blocking following the preseason opener.

Coughlin wants Wilson to body up blitzing defenders instead of diving at their knees. "He has to learn that you don't cut people at the feet of the quarterback, that's not going to accomplish anything," said Coughlin. Coughlin remains confident Wilson will "learn that." Although Andre Brown fumbled, Coughlin was more pleased with his pass pro: "Andre did a good job of chipping last night and did a good job helping when it was obvious help was needed."

David Wilson rushed five times for 16 yards in Saturday's preseason opener.

Wilson started and got the first four carries of the game, but wasn't able to do anything with his limited snaps. He came out after the first two series, but got extended work in the two-minute offense and finished with two catches for six yards. The Giants still don't trust Wilson in pass protection and continue to use Andre Brown in third-down situations.

According to ESPN NFC East blogger Dan Graziano, it's "clear" the Giants' best pass-protecting back will "get the bulk of the carries."

If David Wilson pass protects like he did as a rookie, this would bode poorly for his chances of emerging as New York's feature back. "You really can't play unless you can protect the quarterback," said coach Tom Coughlin. Andre Brown is the more proven pass protector. Ultimately, Wilson is going to make himself very hard to take off the field because he is an explosive, big-play machine.

ESPN New York reports David Wilson is expected to be the Giants' "starting" running back on game days, but the team will employ a two-back system.

"We're both going to contribute," acknowledged Wilson on Sunday, discussing his impending timeshare with Andre Brown. "Both of them are different style runners," said Eli Manning. "And we'll kind of understand that and put them in to do things that they are best at." Wilson is the far more explosive, elusive back of the two, but the coaching staff at this point has more "trust" in Brown. Wilson's Average Draft Position is currently in the late-third round.