EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A full calendar week remains before the New York Giants' next game, so this is by no means a definitive prediction. But after speaking with injured running back Rashad Jennings this afternoon, I would be surprised to see him playing against the Colts next Monday night.

A week ago, Jennings said his plan was to start running during the bye week and hopefully practice with the team this week. But he did not practice with the team Monday, and after the team finished practice, Jennings said he hadn't done any running until Monday and that what he did was "a light jog."

"It's coming along," Jennings said. "It's getting better every day. Building on it, and when the time's right, I'm going to be out there ready to go."

Jennings is a relentlessly positive and upbeat person who will not rule out the possibility that he plays next Monday. But he never ruled out playing in Week 6 or Week 7, even when the team was making it clear he wasn't close. So his own personal optimism, by his own admission, is a poor guide. The facts of what he's saying are the true harbingers of what might happen. He said he wouldn't try moving laterally on his injured knee until Wednesday, and even then, he said, he won't be "planting my foot in the ground" and driving off the injured leg.

That's what makes it sound to me as though Jennings is at least another week away from returning from the MCL sprain he suffered in Week 5 against the Falcons. That and this assessment from Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who seemed surprised to even be asked about Jennings:

"He's not ready to go."

Rookie Andre Williams likely would get his third straight start at running back next Monday night against the Colts if Jennings has to miss a third consecutive game.