Giants receiver Smith injures pectoral muscle

Steve Smith's departure from practice Thursday was so subtle that some players didn't realize he was injured. Not even the coach caught on at first.

"I don't even know what's wrong with Steve," fellow receiver Ramses Barden said after the workout. "I thought he just went to the bathroom."

Smith's absence might have gone virtually unnoticed, but if he's not on the field Sunday against the Cowboys, it will create a big gap in the Giants' offensive plans.

Smith injured a pectoral muscle while stretching to catch a pass over the middle in practice. Tom Coughlin called the initial diagnosis a strain, and Smith was sent for further tests to determine the severity of the injury.

"He had trouble driving his arm after the injury, so he couldn't continue," Coughlin said, illustrating his point by swinging his arms in a running motion. "It was kind of a blur for me because I didn't even realize he had done anything. And then word was that he was out of practice."

Although it's unclear how long the injury will sideline Smith, the Giants are assuming he won't be available. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride called that "a huge loss."

"He's the most polished receiver we have," Gilbride said. "He's a guy who has really earned the respect of the defense to such a point that so many of the things they do are designed to stop him. That's what has helped us open up opportunities elsewhere."

Smith is the team's second-leading receiver with 47 receptions for 517 yards and three touchdowns, behind Hakeem Nicks' 51 catches, 653 yards and nine TDs. Third receiver Mario Manningham has 25 receptions for 385 yards and three scores.

If Smith can't play Sunday, Manningham will start. But in a three-receiver set, the Giants would have to look to two inexperienced players: Barden or rookie Duke Calhoun.

"There's no if," Barden said of being ready. "When my name is called, I do it full speed and to the best of my ability."

Coughlin summed up what the loss of Smith might mean to Barden and Calhoun in one word: "Opportunity."

"They've worked hard, practiced hard," Coughlin said. "A lot of their work has been scout team-oriented. Out of 10 they may get two or three [reps] with the first-team offense, and they've taken advantage of that. Obviously, this will be a whole different story."

Smith has at least one reception in each of his last 41 regular-season games, the longest active streak on the Giants. In his last three games against the Cowboys, Smith has 25 catches for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He also is one of the first receivers Eli Manning looks to when he's in need of a play; Smith has 28 first-down receptions this season, 11 on third downs.

"Steve is a key part of the offense," said Nicks, who has been practicing while nursing a slight ankle sprain suffered near the end of Sunday's win at Seattle. "Things happen, situations happen, and guys just have to step up."