More on Umenyiora's Injury And Strahan's Possible Return

It is cartilage, not ligament, damage in the left knee of Osi Umenyiora that is ending the season of the New York Giants defensive end.

Coach Tom Coughlin said in a conference call with reporters that today's MRI exam showed a torn lateral meniscus. According to Coughlin, Umenyiora is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday and faces a four-month rehabilitation period.

"We just hope that the surgery goes well on Tuesday and that it is a full recovery and that he is even better than ever here shortly down the road," Coughlin said. "As for the rest of us, we received this information this morning. It was probably around noon, I think, when I talked to [team physician Russell] Warren, and it was obviously the news I didn't want to hear. But after listening to the explanation and Dr. Warren's thoughts on it, I am convinced that this is the right procedure, the right way to go.

"I tried to talk to the coaches about it and I assured the coaches that we will have to be at our best because our team will know before they come in here tomorrow because of the media and we have to do a great job of getting our players refocused and our thoughts on going forward."

Coughlin did not rule out the possibility of moving linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. Nor did he rule out attempting to lure Michael Strahan out of retirement.

"You know what? Someone has already raised that today and I haven't really talked to anyone at this point in time about anything, to be honest with you," Coughlin said. "I am sure that [General Manager] Jerry Reese and I and ownership will look long and hard at whatever options are out there and do what is best here at this point in time."

The Giants hadn't expected to lose Umenyiora for the season and Coughlin did not attempt to deny being dismayed at having such an important player suffer a season-ending injury in a preseason game.

"I think [it's] the number one thing that brings frustration, anxiety and knots in your stomach, all the things that go along with the injury to the players which do not allow your team to function as it is presented on paper," Coughlin said. "Those types of things are very difficult for coaches, no matter what age you are."

By Mark Maske |  August 24, 2008; 6:50 PM ET  | Category:  Giants
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