EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants’ chances of getting back to the playoffs took a major hit with the loss of All-Pro defensive end Michael Strahan for the rest of the season with a chest injury.

Strahan, the NFL’s all-time single season sacks leader, tore a pectoral muscle on his right side while attempting a tackle in the third quarter of Sunday’s 28-21 loss to the Chicago Bears.

Not only did the Giants (5-3) lose the six-time Pro Bowl player who was the longtime cornerstone of their defense, they also lost fellow starting defensive end Keith Washington for the season with a knee injury.

“Obviously Michael is an integral part of our defense,” cornerback Will Allen said yesterday. “He is the foundation of our defense. Some way, somehow, the rest of the guys on the field are going to have to find a way to pick it up.”

Strahan is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow. He was not available for comment.

The losses of the defensive ends made the question of whether it was time for top draft pick Eli Manning to take over at quarterback for Kurt Warner insignificant. For the record, Warner will start at Arizona on Sunday.

“We see what Michael means to this team every time we take the field,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “Michael is the one guy on our defense that opposing offenses know they have to figure out a way to block if they are going to be successful.”

Strahan was hurt early in the third quarter. When Bears running back Anthony Thomas cut inside, Strahan reached out to tackle him and his right arm bent back. He walked off the field with his arm hanging down. Osi Umenyiora and Lance Legree finished the game at the defensive ends.

Coughlin called the injury a shame.

“On the field, our players look to him for inspiration,” Coughlin added. “Actions inspire. What the average person doesn’t see is what a leader Michael is in the locker room and in the weight room when nobody is watching.”

The Giants, who are looking to rebound from a 4-12 season in 2003, don’t have many replacement options. Lorenzo Bromell, who has been on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, is one. The former Oakland Raider has been practicing with the team in recent weeks.

“Like I told Osi last night, in the event that me and Stray are out, it’s the young guys, they have to step forward,”

said Washington, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Strahan has not missed a game since sitting out against Dallas late in the 1995 season with a hamstring injury. He has played in 137 straight regular-season games, starting 136, including the last 95. The only missed start was midway through the 1998 season when back spasms prevented him from starting, although he played much of the game.

Strahan also has started five playoffs games. His 175 career games with the Giants is sixth in franchise history.

A 1993 second-round draft pick out of Texas Southern, Strahan leads all active NFL players with 118 sacks, which is 12th all-time. He is tied for the team lead with four sacks this season, including one against Craig Krenzel of the Bears for a 14-yard loss Sunday. Strahan won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2001 with a single season record of 22 1/2 sacks.