Already down one offensive lineman for the season, the Giants received more bad news about their offensive line on Wednesday.
Center David Baas was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered in Monday night’s win over the Vikings. He was injured on the last offensive play of the Giants’ first drive of the game and now joins Chris Snee, out with a hip injury, on injured reserve.
“The doctors showed me that a linebacker whipped into my leg or something like that,” he said. “I didn’t even know that it was almost a touchdown catch [by Hakeem Nicks]. I had no idea, because I got hit and obviously went down to the ground and then got back up and limped off.”
The season-ending injury is just the latest setback in Baas’ nightmarish 2013 season. After missing the season opener with a strained left knee he suffered in the preseason, he exited the game against Carolina with a neck injury and did not play against Kansas City, Philadelphia or Chicago.
Stepping in at center will be Jim Cordle, who started the three most recent games Baas missed.
Cordle, who wears No. 63, was spotted wearing Baas’s No. 64 during practice. It was thought that he may be wearing the jersey as a tribute to his injured teammate, but he said it was simply a mix-up.
“I didn’t even realize [I was wearing the wrong jersey] until I was out there,” he said. “Then I was like, ‘You know what? I’ll pay tribute to him for a little bit,’ and you guys left, and I had one of the equipment guys get the jersey. I said, ‘This was in my locker, and I don’t know where mine is.’ The guy said mine was in his locker. The equipment guy put the jerseys in wrong. I thought it was fitting that I’d wear his jersey for a little bit.”
Cordle said it was unfortunate Baas suffered his injury, but he realizes the team has to prepare as if nothing happened.
“This offensive line has been ‘next man up’ [all season],” he said. “I feel good about it because I’ve been playing. Dave was in the meetings, and he’ll help us throughout the season.”
Cordle said that being bookended by two veterans — left guard Kevin Boothe and right guard David Diehl — offers him a sense of comfort.
“They go ahead and make the calls, which I can, but they like to do that,” he said. “Diehl likes to talk out there. I can lean on those guys.”
Baas tried to maintain an optimistic approach when he spoke after practice.
“I have to be positive and get things right and get healthy again,” he said.
It is going to be difficult for Baas to stick on the roster after this season. He is set to make $4.75 million in 2014 and $5 million in 2015 and, considering his health issues and lack of great production, it is unlikely the Giants will want to keep him on the roster. If he’s cut, the Giants would save $7 million on the salary cap the next two years.
Baas said he will be eager to help his fellow linemen whenever possible.
“I’ll be here getting treatment,” he said. “If anybody ever needs me for anything, I’ll definitely offer my opinion or analysis of any film or anything like that. We’re always there to help our guys. That’s the team aspect, and you’re never going to lose that.”