Antrel Rolle has described his ankle as "a million times better" than when he sprained it in practice earlier this week.
The New York Giants safety is aiming to recover in time for the opening game of the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys.
The 30-year-old told the team's website: "I'm just taking it as it goes. The first day was obviously the worst and I've been grinding until about three in the morning since it's happened. Just trying to get better.
"I don't know what everyone else's expectations are, but if I can play I'm going to go. It doesn't matter if it's this week, doesn't matter if it's next week, doesn't matter if it's week one. I've never been the kind of guy that is going to milk an injury.
"Right now, like I said, it feels a million times better than it did initially. Just a lot of hard work at night. I'm just happy I'm as far along as I am now."
Rolle recorded 96 tackles for the Giants last season.
