Shockey out six to eight weeks

NFL.com wire reports


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Nov. 10, 2003) -- New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey might miss the rest of the season with a sprained knee.

He will not need surgery but the recovery is six to eight weeks, coach Jim Fassel said. An MRI showed a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament.

Fassel refused to say which knee Shockey hurt, although it appeared he was favoring his left knee.

Shockey stepped on a defender's foot running while running a fourth-quarter pass pattern in a 27-7 loss to Atlanta.

Shockey, who set a team record for tight ends with 74 catches as a rookie, had 48 catches this season for 535 yards and two touchdowns. He had three catches for 46 yards against Atlanta.

Shockey was not immediately available for comment.

While Shockey has an outside chance of returning, Fassel indicated he might place the NFL's top receiving tight end on injured reserve because of the numerous injuries from the game.

Backup tight end Marcellus Rivers popped a shoulder and was hit in the throat. Receiver Tim Carter sustained a concussion, and starting cornerback Ralph Brown separated a shoulder that will sideline him two to four weeks.

Fassel said he might have to sign players for the next game against Philadelphia.