Justin Tuck has dramatically upgraded the chances he will play Monday night against the St. Louis Rams, at least if he has it his way.

Tuck said Sunday he figured he was “50-50” to face the Rams after sitting out the New York Giants’ season-opening loss to the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. He has a neck injury that has been slow to heal since the third preseason game.

“Honestly, talk to me right now, I don’t see how I will not play on Monday,” Tuck said Tuesday, according to the New York Post.

“And that’s me,” Tuck added. “Obviously, you’ve got to go through the process of doctors, coaches, general manager, owner, and going through what’s most important for me and what’s most important for this football team.

“If I come out (today) and this thing feels 100 percent, I’m going. It just all depends on how it feels. We are just taking it day by day, and how I go out on the football field and play is in direct correlation to how the neck feels.”

Tuck has some natural concerns about having a neck injury. Everyone should and just look at what has happened with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. But injuries have shredded the Giants defense to this point and they need all the help they can get.

“My dad always taught me there’s a difference between being hurt and injured,” Tuck said. “If you can go, you go.”

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune