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Brandon Jacobs, 34, is part of the Giants' running back mix.

(William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

The Giants have gone from one healthy running back to almost a handful of ready, willing and able runners in a span of three weeks. Giants coach Tom Coughlin now just needs to decide how to deploy them.

Brandon Jacobs practiced Wednesday and appears set to return after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Andre Brown (broken leg) looks like he’s going to be activated from the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list by the end of the week. Peyton Hillis and Michael Cox held down the fort the past few weeks.

Coughlin has options going into Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders, who are sixth in the NFL against the run allowing a touch under 100 yards per game. He won't be going in with a wait-and-see approach.

“There will be a set plan,” Coughlin said.

Hillis will be a big part of Sunday’s plan. He played well in his first two games with the Giants, the only two games they’ve won this season. He ran for 106 yards and a touchdown in those games, and proved reliable as a pass blocker.

Hillis is expected to be the primary option with Jacobs and Brown sprinkled into the equation.

"I’m pretty sure they are going to switch us in, switch us out," Brown said.

Brown said earlier in the week he had a special package of plays. But having not played a game in over two months, Coughlin didn't appear set to have him carry a heavy workload.

“He’s ready to help,” Coughlin said. “But there is a big difference between game day and practice.”

Coughlin wanted to see Jacobs get through a full practice Wednesday before expressing full confidence in him health-wise. Hamstring injuries are sometimes difficult to overcome.

“Let’s see how he does,” Coughlin warned.

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The Giants boss appeared excited about the possibility of Brown’s return, and the role he can play going forward. Brown rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns in his two starts last season.

“All I think about is how he played a year ago. I’m looking forward to the return of that player, quite frankly,” Coughlin said. “Size, speed, catch the ball out of the backfield. He does a good job in pass protection. Sometimes you forget he’s 230 pounds. So that is a little bit different dimension.”