Brandon Jacobs was a reluctant interview subject today. Before he faced questioning from the media after the 20-17 victory over the Dolphins, the beleaguered running back told a Giants official that he did not want to face the scrutiny. And when he did, it was under his own conditions.

After a day fraught with complications, in which he ran for just 10 yards on four carries, Jacobs said that he would focus only on the bright side.

When asked what he meant in saying that the day didn’t go the way he wanted it to, Jacobs drew the line.

“I’m not dwelling on my problems, talking about a win,” he said.

The reasoning appeared obvious. After drawing attention leading up to the game for commenting in a magazine interview that he did not foresee himself with the Giants after his current contract, and also speaking of a desire to have an increased role in the offense, the game itself was fraught with complications for the Giants’ one-time feature back.

Jacobs was held to 10 yards rushing or less for only the third time in his last 65 games. He also dropped one pass.

The reaction by the crowd, after the drop or one of his fruitless runs, was stern booing.

Jacobs' take on the game did not mention that.

“It feels good to be back in action,” he said. “I felt good. Things didn’t go quite the way we needed them to go, but we overcame that.”

Jacobs became the lead back midway through the third quarter when Ahmad Bradshaw left the game with an injury: The screws inserted into Bradshaw’s right foot two years ago became troublesome. He appeared to injure the foot on a 3-yard reception.

After the play Bradshaw came off the field, looked uncomfortable on the sideline and had to be taken to the locker room.

“I think it’s just the head of it aggravating right now,” Bradshaw said of the screw. “That’s about it. I think it will be fine.”

Bradshaw had X-rays taken, which came back negative. He had his right foot examined and then re-taped. But at no point did he envision leaving the game for good, he said, and eventually returned in the fourth quarter to finish a game in which he rushed 13 times for 50 carries and caught the ball five times for 38 yards.

“I’m tougher than that,” he said, also noting he’ll have the foot looked at again today. “It was just the foot. I’d cut it off if I could. I knew it was fine. Just being cautious about it.”

On the very next series, Jacobs dropped a pass in the flat on first down. On second down, he rushed for 2 yards before being stonewalled. Each was met with disapproval from the crowd.

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Giants coach Tom Coughlin would not discuss whether Jacobs struggled due to being rusty after missing the last two games with a knee injury.

“We didn’t rush the ball well and it is not one guy’s fault,” Coughlin said. “If you get some rhythm going, a lot of good things happen and we didn’t have a lot of rhythm with the run today. We are going to need it.”

Jacobs was pulled away by a Giants official to end his session, but before leaving he said the knee was no impediment.

“My knee is not an issue, at all,” Jacobs said. “It’s not an issue. I’m ready to go, just got to get in a groove and get going.”

Mike Vorkunov:mvorkunov@starledger.com