David Diehl has been the Giants' Iron Man, starting every game in his 8-1/2 seasons in the NFL. But that streak of 127 consecutive games is about to end.
The 30-year-old left tackle suffered both a partially torn hamstring and an injury to a muscle in his hip Sunday, according to two people familiar with the diagnosis. Diehl, according to one of the sources, has been told by doctors that he is expected to miss several weeks.
The Giants aren't willing to concede that just yet, however. They are calling his injury a "sprained hip" and, according to one source, are considering him "week to week." The exact timetable for his recovery will depend on how the hamstring and hip respond to treatment.
He is not, however, expected to return in time to face the Cowboys at the Meadowlands on Sunday.
The loss of Diehl comes at a trying time for an offensive line that is already reeling from the absence of center Shaun O'Hara (foot) and the news Monday that backup center Adam Koets is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the Giants' 41-7 victory over the Seahawks.
The Giants will activate reserve offensive lineman Kevin Boothe from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list this week.
With Diehl out, veteran Shawn Andrews figures to start at left tackle against the Cowboys just like he did in Seattle. Coughlin said Andrews "played well" against the Seahawks in what was his first NFL start at that position. He was noncommittal about Andrews' position in the lineup for Sunday, though, because he said he was still awaiting test results on Diehl.
Diehl, a fifth-round pick out of Illinois in 2003, has played every position along the line except for center. Last year he made the Pro Bowl as a left tackle, but played right tackle in the game.
Read more: Sport
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