PHILADELPHIA – The Giants came into yesterday’s game against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field a remarkably healthy team, but they did not escape unscathed. They won the game 26-23 in overtime but lost four starters to injuries.
Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (sprained right ankle), left tackle Luke Petitgout (back spasms), right tackle Kareem McKenzie (hamstring) and defensive tackle William Joseph (leg) all were forced off the field. Of the four, the Giants are most concerned with McKenzie – unlikely to be able to play on Saturday against the Chiefs – and Pierce.
“I might be back this week, if not I’ll guarantee if I’m not back in a week then I’ll be back by that Washington game, I won’t miss that one,” Pierce said.
The Giants lost their first starting offensive lineman early, as Petitgout played the first series before sitting with a back injury. Veteran Bob Whitfield took his place. It was an eventful game for the 34-year old Whitfield, who was called for six penalties, including four false starts, a problem Petitgout has had repeatedly this season.
“I caught a couple little bad breaks,” Whitfield said. “How come they keep calling that damn offsides penalty? Probably because Luke jumped offsides so many times in Seattle they figure every left tackle’s gonna jump offsides. I didn’t jump offsides once. Maybe once, but it wasn’t my fault, I’m blaming that on Eli [Manning].
“I just do what they ask me to do. I’m underpaid, under-appreciated, got a locker next to the garbage can, nobody expects you to do a whole lot and you go out and whip somebody’s [butt].”
Whitfield was probably kidding, but the depth along the offensive line paid off. David Diehl switched from left guard to right tackle, a position he hasn’t played in more than a year, with Jason Whittle coming off the bench to replace Diehl at guard.
With 4:26 remaining in the first quarter, Pierce went down after a five-yard run by Reno Mahe. Pierce stayed on the grass for a few minutes then was helped off to the sideline, walking gingerly. He eventually was carted off into the locker room with a sprained right ankle. Nick Greisen moved over into the middle, replacing Pierce, and Reggie Torbor came in to play strong side linebacker, with Carlos Emmons switching to the weak side. That means the Pierce injury forced the change of all three linebacker spots.
“I don’t get hurt too much, it didn’t feel took good, wasn’t a good feeling going down,” Pierce said. “The field wasn’t too good getting traction. I can walk on it . . . it’s sore.”
