EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants running back Andre Williams is expected to start Sunday at Dallas, when Rashad Jennings will spend his second consecutive game in street clothes recovering from a sprained knee ligament.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Wednesday that Williams and Peyton Hillis will split the workload against the Cowboys. Jennings sprained his knee in a Week 5 win over the Atlanta Falcons, thrusting the rookie Williams into the lineup.

The Giants have a bye next week, and Coughlin is optimistic the Giants could be at full strength at running back Week 9.

Jennings told reporters on Wednesday that he has made significant improvement as far as regaining a normal range of motion and that he hoped to begin running on firm ground – he has been running on an underwater treadmill — next week.

“Yeah, we got (the pain and swelling) under control,” he said. “So right now I’m just working out in the gym, getting lost in my music and preparing myself so that when I get back, I can be back up to full speed.”

Jennings admitted that it could still take weeks before his explosion returns, even when he does return to the field. However, he is not too concerned that it will affect his performance.

“Obviously that is a factor of the game, but being a student of the game, understanding where the fits are and how to set up your blocks, that’s a big part of it that doesn’t get recognized,” he said.

“So along with the mental part of it, when I’m physically able to produce, then I’m not going to be worried at all.”

Coughlin also put to rest speculation that wide receiver Victor Cruz, placed on injured reserve with a torn patellar tendon, might not return next season.

“Absolutely we will,” Coughlin said.