Giants receiver Burress treated for gunshot wound

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was wounded in an apparent accidental shooting on Friday and released from hospital on Saturday, the NFL team said.

Burress, who had already been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins because of a hamstring strain, suffered a wound to his right thigh, the team said in a statement that did not reveal other details of the incident.

"We are aware of the fact that Plaxico was involved in an apparent accidental shooting last night," the Giants said. "Plaxico suffered a wound to his right thigh.

"Obviously, our primary concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being, and given the circumstances, we are relieved to say he was released from a New York City hospital."

The Giants said they had contacted the NFL's security department and because the incident could involve further investigation by law enforcement would not be making any comment on the details of it.

Burress, 31, who signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Super Bowl champions just hours before the season opened, has been embroiled in controversy this season.

He missed the October 5 victory against Seattle while serving a team suspension for missing meetings and was fined $45,000 by the NFL for a variety of offences that included verbally abusing officials during the October 19 game against San Francisco.

He was also benched for the first quarter of the October 26 game against Pittsburgh because he missed a scheduled appointment for injury treatment.

(Writing by Larry Fine; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)