GIANT NOTES
Just when it looked as if the Giants finally came out of a game relatively injury-free, the elastic sleeve yesterday worn on the left arm of center Chris Bober told a different tale.
Sometime in the first quarter of Sunday’s 19-17 victory over the Redskins, Bober tore his left biceps muscle and, depending on the results of an MRI, could learn he is gone for the remainder of the season.
“Right now it’s pretty sore,” Bober said.
Judging from the downcast manner in which Jim Fassel described the injury, it is likely the Giants will not receive good news. If the tear is slight, Bober could play with the arm heavily wrapped. If not, he would require season-ending surgery, which is more likely.
Bober would be the fifth season-ending injury (Keith Hamilton, Ike Hilliard, Tim Carter and Dusty Zeigler are the others) to hit the Giants in the past five games.
“I thought it was a bone bruise, but it started hurting real bad,” Bober said.
If the injury indeed ends Bober’s season, Jason Whittle would move from right guard to center and reserve Tam Hopkins would move into Whittle’s starting guard spot.
This would further weaken an offensive line that has already lost Zeigler to a knee injury. Bober this past game also replaced Bob Jones as the snapper for field goals, a job Whittle would assume.
“He’s very underrated as far as his value,” said Fassel.
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Another injury concern is defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin, who has a sprained ankle and might not be ready for Sunday’s game in Houston.
Fassel said receiver Ron Dixon (knee) is doubtful and that newly signed Herman Moore should make his Giants debut as the No. 3 receiver.
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The performance and antics of TE Jeremy Shockey continue to be a source of discussion. Especially the antics.
“I kind of like to see him do it, it means he’s made a good play,” Fassel said. “I don’t want to see it get out of hand, but ‘Act like you’ve done that before’ doesn’t apply to him. He’s done it plenty of times.”
Matt Bryant is 15 of 15 on field goals with Matt Allen as the holder, meaning Allen will not be replaced again.