As the Giants returned to the practice field on Sunday, it was without first-rounder Deandre Baker.

Head coach Pat Shurmur noted after the session that Baker had actually gone for an MRI on his knee after feeling something during warm-ups.

"In his individual warm-up type stuff, (he felt) something with his knee," Shurmur told NJ.com's Matt Dunleavy. "We are just checking it out with a MRI. No information on that right now. He's getting it checked out."

Well, the tests show that Baker has a sprained knee, per SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. It is unknown when he'll be back on the field, as the Giants will continue to run tests to see what the process to getting him back will be.

The Georgia product had himself a solid first game against the Jets on Thursday, playing his signature aggressive style at cornerback. However, if this knee issue persists, Baker could be sidelined for this week's bout against the Bears.

But that could be a great opportunity for Corey Ballentine, the Giants' sixth-round choice out of Washburn, to take advantage of. Ballentine was equally as impressive running with the second stringers on Thursday, as his night was capped off with his first interception -- an uber athletic play where he went up to haul in a deep ball down the right sideline.

Creating turnovers is something Ballentine has been doing all summer, nabbing three during training camp practice to go along with this one. Nothing, though, compares to his first in-game pick.

"It felt good," Ballentine said after practice. "It felt good to know my hard work is paying off and to translate it from practice to a game, that felt good as well. I'm always looking for a way to help the team win, and I'm just glad I was able to do it with my teammates out there."

Giants fans are well aware of Ballentine's journey to where he is at today with the team. And though it was only a play in a preseason game, it was certainly much more to Ballentine and his family.

"I called my mom and we were on the phone for an hour and a half," Ballentine explained. "It was crazy because we were just talking about how far I have come. Coming from Jamaica and all of the adversity I have been through, and now being here doing my dream. It's just crazy being out there on the field. I had never been to an NFL game before and (now) here I am, on the field. There were a lot of emotions going through my head, but I was glad to be out there with my team and I was happy with the way I played. My team is what's important to me, so it was definitely a good feeling."

Ballentine admitted he couldn't sleep that night after thinking about his first true taste of the NFL. But he'll need to get his proper rest and come ready to play, knowing he could be with the first-teamers at any time now with Baker's mysterious injury.

"I don't know what happened to him, but I'm always ready to step up whenever I'm called on," he said. "It felt good to go out there with the ones and get some reps and some practice running with a faster paced offense. I'm just taking it day by day trying to improve and not take it for granted."

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