Wounded Giants receiver Burress out for season
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Giants placed Plaxico Burress on the reserve/non-football injury list on Tuesday, ending the season for the wide receiver who wounded himself in a gunshot accident last weekend.
Burress suffered a self-inflicted injury to his right thigh at a Manhattan night club early on Saturday morning and faces charges of criminal possession of a handgun.
If convicted he could face three and a half to 15 years in jail. Burress, free on $100,000 bail, is due back in court on March 31.
According to NFL rules, players who suffer an injury or illness unrelated to a football activity may be placed on reserve/NFI. Such players are not allowed to return to the club's active list or practice for the rest of the season.
"The decision we made today regarding Plaxico's roster status was based on the examination of Plaxico by our team physician," general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement.
"Dr. (Scott) Rodeo believes Plaxico would be out at least four to six weeks with the gunshot wound.
I had two conversations with Plaxico today, and it was obvious that he understood the magnitude of this situation. He knows that we are here to support him and help him get healthy."
Burress, who met individually with Reese, Giants president John Mara and head coach Tom Coughlin, was also fined and suspended four games for conduct detrimental to the team for repeated violations of club rules.
The receiver also missed the October 2 game against Seattle while suspended for missing a team meeting. Burress sat out the first quarter of the game at Pittsburgh on October 26 after missing a scheduled medical treatment the previous day.
Burress, who caught the winning TD pass in New York's 17-14 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots in February, signed a $35 million five-year contract in September with the Giants, who have the best record in the NFC at 11-1.
The 31-year-old Burress joined New York as a free agent before the 2005 season and has caught 244 passes for 3,681 yards and 33 touchdowns for the team.
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Ed Osmond)
