By PAUL SCHWARTZ
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Left tackle David Diehl never has missed a game in his first six years with the Giants. He never missed a game in college at Illinois or in high school. He’s barely ever missed a practice.
But he’s sitting out tonight’s game against the Patriots because of patella tendinitis but he promised to be ready for the Sept. 13 opener against the Redskins.
“This is the first game I have missed in my life,” Diehl said. “It’s not something I am getting used to. I’ll be back next week fully loaded, ready to go.” Diehl said he’s been able to play through the knee problems this summer, although he did sit out practice earlier this week.
“I have been playing through it, getting treatment on it and stuff like that,” Diehl said. “It’s definitely something that wasn’t mind blowing, where I wouldn’t be able to play. They’re just trying to be smart, let me rest and make sure I am ready to go for the Week 1 game.
“Like I said, it’s not something I am used to and it’s not something I am ever going to get used to. I plan on playing every single snap this season, just like I did last season.”
Rookie Will Beatty from UConn got the start in place of Diehl.
Other Giants who did not play: DT Jay Alford (knee), DT Chris Canty (hamstring), S Kenny Phillips (knee), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring), WR David Tyree (hamstring), RB Danny Ware (ribs), OT Guy Whimper (hip flexor).