By PAUL SCHWARTZ
For the third consecutive day, Plaxico Burress did not participate in any real aspects of practice, an ominous sign that is sure to affect the Giants far more adversely than Tom Brady’s slight high right ankle sprain will bother the Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday.
Burress is the Giants big-play target and was an absolute terror in the NFC Championship game, when he savaged Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Al Harris in frigid Green Bay with 11 catches for 154 yards.
He seemed primed for a huge Super Bowl performance, stating upon arrival that his chronically sprained right ankle was “97 percent” healed. Burress enjoyed himself all week, at ease in the media spotlight, explaining away his prediction of a 23-17 Giants victory as supreme confidence in his teammates.
But the more he talked, the less he worked. He suffered a flare-up of a left knee injury that bothered him from time to time this season. The knee became sore and swollen and he was unable to do anything in practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Based on reduced swelling in the knee, the belief was he would get on the field today, but other than participating in a few individual drills (pictured above), Burress was a no-go.
He’s listed as questionable to play in the Super Bowl, officially meaning he’s 50-50.
In the final full workout, Burress stretched and loosened up with his teammates and ran a few routes in drills, testing his ailing ankle and knee.
“He did run a few things in individual,” Tom Coughlin said. “He ran a couple of slants. He took a play in the green zone and that was about all we did with him.”
At full strength, the Giants as a 12-point underdog need all hands on deck and monster performances from their marquee players to have a chance to upset the unbeaten Patriots, who at 18-0 are one game away from perfection.
If Burress is not close to 100 percent, the Giants passing attack will be severely diminished, despite the presence of Amani Toomer and rookie Steve Smith.
“He’s improved,” Coughlin said, evaluating Burress’ status from the beginning of the week. “He’s done it all year under all kinds of circumstances. We’ve just got to be hopeful he can do it one more time.”