EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -The New York Giants are approaching the suspension of Plaxico Burress almost the same way they would an injury.
The team suspended the wide receiver for a game for missing a practice and not calling to explain his absence. Barring a successful appeal, Burress will miss the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Giants Stadium on Oct. 5.
“It is tough when you lose anybody, regardless of if it is injury, retirement or suspension,” middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said Thursday, after the Giants (3-0) had their final bye-week workout. “When somebody goes down, somebody will step up.”
For the Giants that means Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss and rookie Mario Manningham will get more playing time, with Hixon expected to move into Burress’ split end spot.
“He does a lot for the team, catching balls, blocking, so it’s going to be tough,” Hixon said of Burress’ role. “Things happen, you got to continue on.”
ssociation discussed Burress’ appeal with the league’s management council, but it did not make a decision on whether to file a non-injury grievance. He said a decision would be made “quickly.”
Hixon, who might have been the biggest surprise in training camp, has been effective in limited action this season. The third-year pro has caught six passes for 89 yards, including a 32-yarder against the St. Louis Rams in the second game of the season.
However, he is no Burress.
Burress is the one legitimate deep threat on the team. He leads the Giants with 18 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown. The number of catches and the yardage are both tied for seventh in the league.
“Hixon is a young man who is a coach’s dream,” receivers coach Mike Sullivan said. “He works extremely hard, he puts in extra time, he tries to work on all the fundamental fine details, and he’s a great worker – very, very tough, great stamina.”
The starting assignment for Hixon also is going to create more playing time for Smith and Moss, and it should get Manningham on the field for the first time this season.
Smith has been productive when the Giants have gone to four-receiver packages on third down. The second-year pro has 11 receptions for 94 yards.
Moss has had only one catch for 23 yards, while Manningham has yet to play after being slowed by a leg injury in training camp.
approach the game like we do every week,” Smith said. “We know he (Burress) is a big target and that is tough on whoever is in that position in the game, but coach is going to put us in the right position. We just have to make the plays.”
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said there will have to be some adjustments to the game plan for Seattle, but not many.
“You just move on,” Gilbride said. “And we feel very good about some of the guys that can step in and have an opportunity to play. When we have asked guys like Domenik Hixon or Sinorice Moss to do what is required in a game they have responded very positively. So we are looking forward to seeing what some of those guys will do.”
The one guy who might be able to take Burress’ deep routes is Manningham, the third-round draft pick from Michigan. He has the speed, but he is also still learning about being an NFL receiver and adjusting to bigger cornerbacks and the pace of the game.
“I’m excited. I can’t wait,” Manningham said. “I am just going to take it how it is, take it day by day and try to contribute to my team.”
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