Mario Manningham concerned about right knee

Mario Manningham tried to conceal the worry in his voice but ultimately failed.

The Giants wide receiver, who had seemed so confident last week that he'd be able to face the Saints this past Monday, said Thursday that his right knee isn't healing as he had hoped and that there's a "50-50" chance he won't play against Green Bay on Sunday. Worse yet: He might need surgery.

Manningham, who will be a free agent after the season, hasn't practiced since the team's Nov. 20 loss to the Eagles and told reporters his knee feels "weak" and "not stable" when he tests it. "It's just some stuff floating around in there," he said.

Manningham wasn't sure if surgery will be necessary, but he also didn't rule it out.

"I got some issues on the side and a little in the front," he said. "Eventually I'll be all right. Right now I'm not 100 [percent]."

When pressed later about surgery, he said: "I'm not worried about it. Whatever happens happens. I'm just trying to just strengthen my knee and do what I got to do to get back as soon as possible . . . I'm going to have to wait and see."

Manningham, who has 34 receptions for 404 yards and three touchdowns, said he had surgery on his right knee during his college career at Michigan and doesn't have "a meniscus in either one of my knees."

Manningham's absence would be felt, but offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said the reality is that the Giants have played well without him. "You lose a guy that has some speed, that has made some big plays for us in the past and has made big plays against this team," he said. "So you'd love to have him, but he hasn't been around for a while and he didn't practice today."

Said Tom Coughlin: "We're trying to manage it and he's trying to manage it, but it's not working to everybody's favor."

Hakeem Nicks said not having Manningham would be a big blow to the Giants' ability to use three-wide sets. "When he's out there, it makes the secondary play honest a little bit. They don't roll to my side as much," said Nicks, who sat out practice because of concussion-like symptoms.

Victor Cruz said Manningham's ability to stretch the field will be missed. "It definitely takes away one of our threats," he said. "Myself, Ramses [Barden], Hakeem, we just have to be ready to go."