EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -A porous defense isn’t the only question mark for the New York Giants heading into their game this weekend against the Washington Redskins.
Add receiver Plaxico Burress to the list.
Burress, whose four touchdown catches are tied for tops in the NFL, was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game after practicing on a limited basis Friday. He had missed the previous two practices with an ankle injury.
“I’ll talk about the game, I’m not talking about me,” Burress said when asked of his injury.
Burress didn’t seem to limp while catching passes early in the workout, but coach Tom Coughlin said he was unable to complete the practice.
“It is going to be one of those deals depending on how he feels on game day,” Coughlin said.
Burress, who didn’t play at all in the preseason because of ankle and back injuries, has averaged 17.6 yards on 10 catches and scored four of the team’s five touchdowns.
Quarterback Eli Manning also has found Amani Toomer 11 times for 139 yards and tight end Jeremy Shockey 10 times for 101 yards. However, neither has caught a touchdown.
The passing yardage should have helped the Giants (0-2) get off to a good start. However, the defense has been horrible, giving up a league-high 80 points in embarrassing losses to Dallas and Green Bay.
While there is a 50 percent chance that Burress will play Sunday, replacing him would not be easy with rookie receiver Steve Smith sidelined with a broken shoulder blade.
Rookie Anthony Mix is Burress’ backup at split end. He caught his first three passes for 39 yards in a mop up role last week. New York could also use Sinorice Moss, a second-round pick a year ago, who is still looking for his first reception this season, and David Tyree, who may return to action this week after breaking a wrist in a preseason game.
“It is very important for us,” Burress said of the game. “I have never started 0-3 and I definitely don’t want to start now.”
Since 1990 when the NFL switched to a 12-team playoff format, only three teams that started 0-3 have made the playoffs – the San Diego Chargers in 1992, the Detroit Lions in 1995 and the Buffalo Bills in 1998.
With the defense playing poorly, the Giants could use a big game from their offense.
That may not be easy. Washington (2-0) has only given up 25 points – the sixth best in the league this season.
“They try to put a lot of pressure, try to disrupt the offense,” Burress said. “We can’t let that happen.”
Toomer said the offense isn’t putting any extra pressure on itself because the defense is struggling.
“We need to put points on the board and have faith that everything will turn out all right,” Toomer said.
If Moss played, it would make the game a family affair. Sinorice’s brother, Santana, is a starting receiver for the Redskins.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Sinorice Moss, who can play all three of the team’s receiver spots. “We’re going to go out there and have opportunities to make big plays.”
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