The Giants appear increasingly likely to be without two key pieces on offense and Osi Umenyiora again Sunday when they square off with the Cowboys for the NFC East title and a spot in the playoffs. Â Read more after the jump.
Along with Umenyiora, tight end Jake Ballard (partially torn PCL) and wide receiver Mario Manningham (sore knee) received downbeat assessments from Tom Coughlin as the Giants prepared for their win-or-go-home showdown with Dallas at MetLife Stadium.
Ballard said he is still in pain and would not have been able to play if the game had been held Monday. Coughlin said he hopes Manningham can play this weekend but did not sound confident.
At least the Giants would be accustomed to having to adjust without all three players. Umenyiora (high ankle sprain) has missed four consecutive games; Ballard and Manningham sat out Saturday’s win over the Jets.
As for the Giants coach himself, Coughlin wouldn’t reveal the injury he suffered when D.J. Ware ran into him on the sidelines Saturday but said he has “never felt better” and ruled out coaching from the press box against Dallas.
Coughlin joked about the injury, too.
Asked how much Ware was fined for the play, Coughlin deadpanned, “Actually, he’s no longer with the team.”
