September 10, 2007 New York Giants Injury Report

September 10, 2007 New York Giants Injury Report: The Giants and press reports offered conflicting information on the amount of time the following injured players may miss. Keep in mind that the Giants have not always been completely honest or forthcoming when describing the extent of injuries or presenting an accurate timetable for a player’s return in recent years under Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

QB Eli Manning: According to the Giants, the results of the MRI taken on Manning’s right shoulder revealed a contusion to the right A-C joint. The Giants state that his status is “day-to-day” for this week’s game against Green Bay.

Meanwhile, ESPN is reporting that Manning has a separated shoulder and will be out for a month.

The Giants denied that report. “I don’t know where that report comes from,” said Coughlin. “I don’t know where supposedly the information was found.”

“It’s sore right now, that’s about all there is to it,” said Manning. “The day after you get hit on it, it’s just going to be a little sore and a little tight. But overall I’m not in pain or am not hurting in any way. So it is just a matter of when I can throw the ball, I’ll be out there throwing it. It’s just going to be day-by-day. I think with (Monday) off and (Tuesday) off, hopefully these are probably the worst two days of it. I’ll be getting better and treatment and get iced. I’ll take anything I can to try to get healed up as quickly as possible. They said that everything is probably as good as could be from the tests results. It is just a matter of when you have the strength and when you feel you can throw full strength and you will be out there playing…It’s all a matter of how I feel. I hope I feel better (on Tuesday). And by Wednesday just see how the arm feels; just take some test throws. Whether I do some stuff or – it’s just all a matter of how I feel and when I am ready to throw.”

“We are just going to have to see how it is,” said Coughlin. “Whether he can practice and play on a daily basis. When he will be able to do the things he needs to be able to do. Quite frankly, if it is not possible this week then it will be another week. It is Monday, he has tomorrow. Literally, he has Wednesday – even if he doesn’t work Wednesday – of full treatments. He will be in here two or three times tomorrow, he spends most of the day in here anyway, so we will continue to see what kind of progress can be made in a short amount of time with regard to his throwing motion.”

Giants’ beat writer Ralph Vacchiano probably has the best readout on the situation. As he wrote in his Daily News Giants’ blog: The difference in reports also may be a matter of semantics. A sprain, I’m told, is a mild separation in which the ligaments in the A-C joint are stretched or torn (I’m told Manning’s ligaments were only stretched). So I suppose that means it’s technically possible to classify Manning’s injury as a separation, though that makes it sound worse than I’m told it is.

Vacchiano is also reporting that Manning’s MRI results will be reviewed by a top orthopedic surgeon in Alabama sometime this week for a second opinion.

HB Brandon Jacobs: According to the Giants, the results of the MRI taken on Jacob’s right knee revealed a sprained MCL. The Giants state he will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

Press reports, including from Newsday and The Daily News, speculate Jacobs will likely miss 3-5 weeks.

DE Osi Umenyiora: According to the Giants, the results of the MRI taken on Umenyiora’s left knee revealed irritation to the lateral meniscus. The Giants state his status is “day-to-day” and he will be re-evaluated later in the week.

Meanwhile, various press reports, including The Star-Ledger and The Daily News, say Umenyiora could be out as long as a month. Umenyiora’s agent also said his client will miss a month.

“It is a soreness situation right now and that is where it will remain until something further comes along,” Coughlin said. “We expect again that he will be evaluated every day and if he responds to the treatment we will see how it goes and if he doesn’t, if he remains sore and what have you, then we will have to deal with that as well.”

CB Kevin Dockery: According to the Giants, the results of the MRI on Dockery’s injured ankle were not available yet yesterday when their press release was issued at 5:00PM.

Newsday is reporting that DT Barry Cofield hyperextended his knee, but he should be OK.

In other injury news, Coughlin said that LB Gerris Wilkinson, who missed most of training camp and all of the preseason with a knee injury should start practicing again this week. “He is going to practice some this week,” Coughlin said. “I think he is ready to go – I hope. He has made steady progress and hopefully he is going to be able to work a percentage of the time this week.”

New York Giants Sign DT Russell Davis: The Giants signed DT Russell Davis to the active roster.

Davis is a nine-year veteran who has played with the Bears (1999), Cardinals (2000-2005), and Seahawks (2006). The Seahawks waived him on September 4, 2007. Last year for Seattle, Davis played in 13 games with no starts. He accrued 30 tackles and a career-high three sacks. Davis is a decent run defender, but not much of a pass rusher (11.5 career sacks). Davis was originally drafted by the Bears in the 2nd round of the 1999 NFL Draft.

The Giants have until 4:00PM today to make a roster move to clear space for Davis.

Giants Sign WR Kevin McMahan to Practice Squad: The Giants have signed WR Kevin McMahan to the Practice Squad. McMahan was with the Giants this preseason until he was waived at the beginning of September.

Notes and Quotes: Due to the injury to DE Osi Umenyiora, the Giants may be forced to move Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end from linebacker. “There’ll be more discussions in the next day or so,” said Coughlin. “We need to get a handle on where Osi is.”

Coughlin indicated that Derrick Ward will likely start at halfback while Brandon Jacobs is out though Reuben Droughns will also see his workload increased. Ahmad Bradshaw may see some more action too.