Giants’ Rookie Amukamara Will Undergo Foot Surgery

Added on Aug 07, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

The NFL preseason has already claimed its first high draft pick to injury as New York Giants’ rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara will require foot surgery due to a fracture. According to the team he is out ‘indefinitely’.

Amukamara injured his foot during Saturday night’s practice and left the field with a member of the Giants’ medical staff. X-rays revealed the fracture of the fifth metatarsal for which surgery will be required. Amukamara will undergo a procedure to have a screw inserted into the foot to help facilitate healing. He was injured in only his second practice with the team after signing his contract–making him the last first round draft choice to finalize a contract.

Amukamara had missed the team’s first five practices while his agents negotiated a four year, $8.1 million deal with the first three years full guaranteed. The hope was that the Nebraska product chosen with the 19th overall pick would give the Giants some depth at cornerback but now that position could be a problem. In addition to Amukamara’s injury, the Giants have already lost veteran Bruce Johnson who was waived late last week after rupturing his Achilles tendon. For now, the Giants will have to find a way to supplement starters Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas and backup Aaron Ross.

The Giants suffered a similar injury in the first game of the 2010 season when left tackle William Beatty broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot against Carolina. Beatty didn’t go on the injured reserve list, but ended up missing two months of the season as the injury recuperated.

New York has also lost tight end Ben Patrick who reportedly ‘no longer wants to play football’. Patrick played four seasons in the NFL — all with the Cardinals — compiling 446 yards and four touchdowns on 45 receptions in 42 games. He signed with the Giants early last week and was expected to compete for the starting spot after Kevin Boss left as a free agent, signing with the Oakland Raiders. He has been placed on the reserve/retired list–presumably he could change his mind and return but for the time being the team is looking for other options at the tight end position.