NEW ORLEANS — It will take considerable healing for the Giants to keep their remarkable offensive line durability streak intact.
Right tackle Kareem McKenzie was carted off after he injured his groin during a wild sequence in the final seconds of the second quarter in yesterday’s 48-27 loss to the Saints. McKenzie was injured in the scrum to recover Eli Manning’s fumble. Rookie Will Beatty took over at right tackle.
There was no update available after the game, but it looked as if McKenzie will be forced to miss some time. The Giants’ offensive line has started 38 consecutive games together.
“We’re much more worried about winning next week than any streak,” center Shaun O’Hara said.
Beatty, a second-round draft pick from UConn, may have to move into the starting lineup.
“I got a hit on the QB, can’t let that happen,” Beatty said. “The little things matter. I have to work on the little things for next week.”
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Manning’s apparent TD pass to Brandon Jacobs early in the fourth quarter was called back when O’Hara was called for what looked to be a phantom holding penalty against Saints DE Will Smith.
VIDEO: GIANTS LOSE TO THE SAINTS
“It was a terrible call,” O’Hara said. “Anybody who watches the replay will see there was no holding. Eli was rolling out, I went and cut Will Smith and that was it. I don’t know where they saw a hold. He said I held his ankles. I know that didn’t happen.”
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The Giants rediscovered their return man. Domenik Hixon finally replaced Sinorice Moss and at times dominated.
Hixon had kickoff returns of 45 and 68 yards, averaged 32.9 yards on his seven kickoff returns and 25.5 on his two punt returns. . . . The last time the Giants gave up this many points was Sept. 19, 1999 when they lost 50-21 to the Redskins.
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Jacobs (7-33) left briefly in the second quarter with a neck burner but returned in the second half. He’s from Louisiana and did not enjoy his return.
The Giants did not have any sacks against Drew Brees.
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The 49-yard field goal for Lawrence Tynes late in the first quarter was his longest of the season.
Rookie WR Hakeem Nicks had five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in the second half.