GIANT NOTES

ALBANY – Much of the Giants’ newly-designed offense is centered around Sean Bennett, the second-year running back who is supposed to create heavy-duty matchup problems. Bennett, though, won’t be creating much of anything for at least a week and, quite possibly, considerably longer because of a bulging disk in his lower back.

There are conflicting reports about Bennett’s injury, ranging from troublesome to ominous. Bennett said he hurt himself when he came down wrong while working out last Monday and that his back tightened up during Saturday’s double practice sessions.

An MRI, Bennett said, revealed that “it doesn’t look too serious, so it’s not ruptured or anything.” The longest he will be out, Bennett was told, should be a week, and Jim Fassel said Bennett would likely miss only a few days.

That may not be the case. According to a source, Bennett has a much more serious injury and might require surgery to manipulate the disk, which is pressing up against a nerve. If that is the case, he could be out at least 4-6 weeks.

This could be a huge blow to the Giants, as they are counting heavily on Bennett, a surprise fourth-round pick a year ago out of Northwestern. The Giants hope Bennett’s blend of size (230 pounds) and speed will be valuable weapons in what they expect will be more of a big-play attack. It was an injury-filled rookie season for Bennett, who was the Giants’ starting running back in the first game of last season but missed a total of seven games with knee problems.

*

C Dusty Ziegler, who was poked in the right eye on Saturday, did not practice yesterday but says he might be ready by today.