ALBANY, N.Y. -- Veteran wide receiver Amani Toomer got a little surprise from coach Tom Coughlin -- he's not playing in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.
Toomer said Wednesday that Coughlin told him of the decision on Tuesday night and that he was OK with it.
"I really don't know how to take it because, in a sense, I am trying to get ready for the season," said Toomer, who had knee surgery in November. "I thought I would play in the preseason games and get my reps in and knock off some of the rust."
Coming off the injury that sidelined him for the second half of last season, Toomer has been limited to one practice a day at training camp at the University at Albany.
"I don't think we want to necessarily push him any further than that. He's done well with everything we've asked," Coughlin said of Toomer. "He's had some incidental contact and jumped right back up, so I think he's done well."
Fellow veteran receiver Plaxico Burress, who missed the last four days with a sprained ankle, participated in a jog-through Wednesday morning, but his status for the game remains uncertain.
Defensive tackle Fred Robbins (calf) and Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey (sore legs) may play in the game. Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (dislocated knee) and center Todd Londot (ankle) are out.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
