Injuries put Giants in tight spot at tight end
An injured Kevin Boss struggles to get up after getting a concussion on a hit during Sunday's win over Carolina. (Sept. 12, 2010) Credit: Joe Rogate
The Giants will have to do some juggling this week to overcome injuries at tight end.
Starter Kevin Boss will likely miss Sunday's game against the Colts after suffering a concussion early in the Panthers game, his second in less than a year, according to the Giants.
Normally the team would move tackle Will Beatty outside to play a blocking tight end, but Beatty fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will need surgery.
That leaves the Giants with only one available tight end - Travis Beckum, who is not a strong blocker - and no true backup tackle.
"We're just going to have to maneuver around," Tom Coughlin said.
The Giants could elevate Bear Pascoe from the practice squad. As of Monday, Pascoe said he hadn't discussed that with the team.
Bothered by Boss hit
The NFL supposedly outlawed blindside hits to the head against defenseless receivers, but that didn't stop Panthers safety Sherrod Martin from putting his shoulder into the back of Boss' helmet on the Giants' fourth offensive snap. Coughlin couldn't understand why that was not flagged as a penalty.
Coughlin said he asked why it was not called.
"I didn't get anything," he said. "I went out and they didn't have any idea that it happened."
Giant steps
LB Chase Blackburn reinjured his right MCL, a ligament he sprained against the Jets in the preseason, keeping him out for three weeks. But he said the knee feels more stable than it did after that initial hit . . . Coughlin and others praised Jason Pierre-Paul for his play on special teams. But there weren't many other special teams highlights for Coughlin, who called the blocked punt "embarrassing" because the Panthers sent only six rushers.
