EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A sprained ligament in his right foot is going to keep a Pro Bowl defensive end, Michael Strahan, off his feet for at least a week and out of the Giants lineup for at least two weeks to a month, and possibly longer.

Diagnostic tests of Strahan’s foot yesterday disclosed a sprain to the Lis Franc ligament, one of the main stabilizers in the middle of the foot.

“This is not an injury that requires surgery,” trainer Ronnie Barnes said. “Michael will be on crutches and in a boot for at least the next week. A reasonable timeframe for Michael’s possible return would be anywhere from two to four weeks.”

Strahan, who was injured in the second quarter of Sunday’s 14–10 win over Houston, was not available for comment yesterday. He told FOXSports.com that the recovery period might last up to two months.

“It’s really up to how long it takes to heal,” Strahan said. “It’s not torn, but it’s similar to the injury that I had as a rookie that kept me out for several weeks.”

The Giants’ coach, Tom Coughlin, said it is hard to set a definite recovery period.

“We’re still trying to understand exactly how we are going to see progress,” Coughlin said on a conference call devoted almost entirely to Strahan.

“We have to assess this thing day to day with the other injured guys and get ready to play with our people,” Coughlin, who was unaware that Strahan said he might be out eight weeks, said.

The chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center, Dr. Michael Kelly, said Strahan’s foot probably is tender and swollen.

“When you sprain that ligament the injuries can come in an array of severities,” Kelly said in a telephone interview. “It sounds like Michael’s isn’t too bad.”