Breaking News: NY Giants WR Steve Smith Out for Season

The New York Giants have been dealing with injuries since early last summer. Arguably the most serious blow to the team occurred last Monday.

Numerous sources throughout the New York region, including ESPN, have confirmed that wide receiver Steve Smith will miss the remainder of the 2010 NFL season due to a knee injury he sustained during Monday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Smith reportedly hurt his hamstring during the contest, but a Tuesday MRI showed an "articular cartilage injury" that will require surgery. Smith is expected to be placed on IR on Wednesday, removing him from the team's roster for the regular season and the playoffs.

Smith will become the fifth New York Giants wide receiver to be placed on injured reserve this season. Heading into this Sunday's game against the Eagles, Big Blue will take the field without Smith and possibly Mario Manningham (hip). Hakeem Nicks was also less than 100 percent (ankle) after the Minnesota game but he is currently expected to start.

The Giants also placed Clint Sintim on IR on Wednesday. Sintim suffered a torn ACL during Monday's contest.

New York has thus far done a good job of plugging holes in the offense caused by injuries but make no mistake about the fact that this one hurts a lot. Smith is without question the most reliable target quarterback Eli Manning has, one that Manning will definitely miss during the next three season-defining games. The Giants were without Smith for four games during the season due to a pectoral injury. The team went 2-2 in those contests.