Postgame briefings from the Giants have devolved into injury updates, and though yesterday’s did not contain the carnage of last week’s, there was a long list of hurting players in the aftermath of Sunday’s 35-13 loss to the Packers.
Rookie receiver Steve Smith has a fractured scapula and will be out at least two weeks. That figures to move Sinorice Moss into the No. 3 receiver role, perhaps providing the impetus for the second-year player, a non-factor ever since he arrived as a second-round draft pick, to finally show something. Moss may move even higher than that on the depth chart, depending on the status of Plaxico Burress, who re-sprained his right ankle in the game. Burress also sprained a pinky finger, but says he will be fine.
Backup defensive end Adrian Awasom went down with a fractured transverse process in his back that could turn into a season-ending situation. Other injuries that bear watching this week are QB Jared Lorenzen (sprained ankle), LB Reggie Torbor (bruised elbow) and RB Ahmad Bradshaw (sprained elbow).
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There aren’t many personnel changes for the Giants to consider with their struggling defense, but rookie CB Aaron Ross, if healthy, will be thrust into a more active role. Ross missed the second half against the Packers after he experienced cramps, but Tom Coughlin said Ross did enough to warrant more time.
“He played decently and we certainly would like to see more of him,” Coughlin said.
FB Robert Douglas was re-signed to the practice squad, replacing RB Quinton Smith.
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Coughlin said he will ask the league for an explanation why the five-yard delay of game penalty on TE Jeremy Shockey for spiking the ball was not tacked onto the play (Shockey’s 14-yard reception) rather than nullifying the play entirely.
“Delay of game is a dead-ball foul,” Coughlin reasoned. “If it is a dead-ball foul, the play is already over so why aren’t we going to subtract five from here instead of going back and replaying the down?”
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DE Michael Strahan has three tackles and no sacks in the two games since his 36-day holdout kept him out of all of training camp and all four preseason games.
“He is still getting his timing, getting his rhythm,” Coughlin said. “He is not there yet.”