NFL

Giants get good news on key players' injuries

By wire services
Published January 3, 2006

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Giants limped into the new year but are counting their blessings.

Already missing Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey and their entire linebacker corps that started the season, the Giants held their collective breath Saturday night in Oakland as, one by one, their three cornerstones left the field with injuries.

Two days later, defensive end Michael Strahan , running back Tiki Barber and quarterback Eli Manning reported a clean bill of health entering Sunday's game against the Panthers.

The biggest exhale came after Barber went down with 10 minutes left clutching his ankle.

"I thought the worst right away. I pictured Terrell Owens ' injury in my head," Giants center Shaun O'Hara said Monday. "So I went over there and said, "Tiki, are you okay?' I got no response. And he had a grimace on his face, and he was in pain. So I said a quick prayer, and once I saw him get up and start moving around, I knew that he was going to be okay."

Fears of a high ankle sprain, which kept Owens out of two playoff games last season and Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce for four this season, also entered Barber's mind.

"It's what happens when a guy falls on your ankle and twists it outward," he said. "But luckily, I didn't get the full brunt of him on my leg. I was just kind of waiting for the pain to subside or get worse, and it didn't get worse."

Manning limped off in the fourth quarter after twisting his right knee but said Monday he was okay.

Strahan was still upset about getting poked in the eye by Raiders lineman Chad Slaughter and said he will wear a protective visor for the first time.

"When I went back out there, he tried to say he was sorry," Strahan said.

"I haven't watched it, but everybody else that has seen it tells me that it looked like his fingers were spread and he had a straight poke at it."

"He will be contacted, I'm sure," Smith said of the coaching openings. "If you're looking for a head football (coach) right now, wouldn't you want to contact him?"

"I think we know we are No.1," linebacker Brian Urlacher said.

"I don't think yards equal wins. Yards are big, but points are the main thing that matters."

[Last modified January 3, 2006, 02:00:11]