Burress's Ankle A Concern For Giants

Plaxico Burress's sprained right ankle has become more of a concern for the Giants.

The receiver, whose five touchdown catches is tied with Randy Moss of New England for the best in the NFL, traveled to Charlotte, N.C., yesterday to have the ankle examined by noted orthopedist Dr. Robert Anderson.

"When he plays, it gets sore again and it has been a kind of a continuous nagging thing," Coughlin said of the injury that happened in training camp in August.

Burress, who missed all four preseason games, has played in the first three regular-season games but has had little practice. Before last week's game with Washington he only practiced on Friday on a limited basis.

Coughlin refused to speculate on the status of the eight-year veteran for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Like the Giants, they are 1–2 and two games behind Dallas in the NFC East.

"Hopefully (there will be) some further recommendation as to what can be done to relieve the issue," Coughlin said. "Plaxico actually the other day said to us that he has to practice. He has got to practice. He is not practicing and he is coming into the games. To his credit he knows his assignments, but obviously he is not as sharp as he could be."