EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora will have season-ending surgery on his injured left knee Tuesday.
Umenyiora was hurt in the second quarter of Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets, and Dr. Russell Warren told the team on Sunday that an MRI found a tear in his lateral meniscus.
"It was obviously the news that I did not want to hear," coach Tom Coughlin said. "But after listening to the explanation and Dr. Warren's thoughts on it, I am convinced that this is the right procedure and the right way to go."
The normal recovery lasts four months, Coughlin said, adding that a non-surgical option was not discussed.
The loss is a major one for the Super Bowl champions in the wake of the retirement of seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan a few months ago.
Coughlin said the team is considering all its options when asked whether the Super Bowl champions were interested in luring the 36-year-old out of retirement.
Coughlin recently talked with Strahan about his new career working on Sundays for FOX Sports.
Where do the Giants turn?
These are some of the players New York may look to with Pro Bowl DE Osi Umenyiora out for the year:
Mathias Kiwanuka
Now a LB, Kiwanuka is a converted DE, who could be asked to return to his natural position.
"The only thing I talked with Michael about was his new challenge, moving forward in his new assignment and he was very excited about that," Coughlin said.
This is not the first time Umenyiora has required surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. He underwent arthroscopic surgery for the same problem at Troy State.
Umenyiora started all 16 games last season and had 52 tackles and a team-high 13 sacks. He added seven tackles in the Giants' playoff run to the Super Bowl.
The Giants are now a bit thin at defensive end. Justin Tuck has replaced Strahan and New York signed veteran Renaldo Wynn in the offseason.
With Umenyiora out, the Giants have to consider moving strongside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. He was switched to linebacker last year so the team could put its best 11 players on the field.
"I haven't had a chance to talk to him so I am not going to comment on that," Coughlin said.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
