Giants' Ross Practices, Says He'll Play

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants CB Aaron Ross returned to practice Wednesday and said he would be ready to play in the NFC title game against the Green Bay Packers.

Ross had to leave the NFC semifinal in Dallas on Sunday after his right shoulder twice popped out of its socket. The first-round pick from Texas plans to wear a harness Sunday.

"If I have to make a tackle with my right shoulder I will," Ross said after practice.

CBs Sam Madison (stomach) and Kevin Dockery (hip) did not practice, although Madison took part in some individual drills. The starter was sidelined for playoff wins vs. Tampa Bay and Dallas.

WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) and OT Kareem McKenzie (ankle) practiced on a limited basis.

The Giants practiced in Giants Stadium, where the temperature was about 40.

The forecast for the title game in Green Bay calls for a game-time temperature of about 4 degrees.

"You don't worry about the weather," Giants QB Eli Manning said. "There is no point in being concerned about it. You wear some warm clothes and you wear a hand warmer. It is still all going to come down to how your team performs on the field."

Manning does not intend to wear gloves in the game.

MAN FORCES SON TO WEAR PACKERS JERSEY: Upset that his 7-year-old son wouldn't wear a Green Bay Packers jersey during the team's playoff victory Saturday, a man restrained the boy for an hour with tape and taped the jersey onto him.

Mathew Kowald was cited for disorderly conduct in connection with the incident with his son at their home in Pardeeville, Wis., Lt. Wayne Smith of the Columbia County Sheriff's Department said.

The 36-year-old Kowald was arrested Monday after his wife told authorities about the incident. Kowald was taken to the county jail and held until Wednesday, when he pleaded no contest, paid a fine of $186 and was released.

Kowald's wife filed a restraining order Wednesday, so Kowald will not be able to have contact with his family, Smith said. Smith said other domestic issues have surfaced, though he wouldn't elaborate.

The boy refused to wear the jersey Saturday, when the Packers beat Seattle, Smith said.

Smith said the incident sounded strange when reported at first, but the mother took pictures with her cell phone.

A Tribune wire report