David Baas has been injured so many times during his two-plus seasons with the New York Giants that he is used to the drill by now. Especially after a 2012 season that was followed by his having to undergo multiple surgeries despite starting all 16 games.
All of that, however, did not make it any easier for him to take when he limped off the MetLife Stadium field Sunday after only three plays with what was diagnosed as a sprained left MCL.
"I was frustrated the other day and I'm over it," he said. "I know I can bounce back from this just like I have everything else, so it's not something that I can't overcome."
Head coach Tom Coughlin said Monday that Baas' status is "weekly." The veteran center hopes to be ready for the season opener Sept. 8 vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
"That's what I expect, too. Obviously, I'm going to follow the doctor's orders and that's why we've got to take it week-by-week and see how it's progressing," Baas said. "It's kind of one of those annoying things that you've got to let go for a little bit. But I'm one of those guys that likes to work through this. I just want to be ready for my team."
Baas joins what is now a loooong list of Giants who are nursing injuries and aiming for Week 1. That list includes Victor Cruz, Henry Hynoski, Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle.
With Baas out, Kevin Boothe takes over at center and the Giants are expected to start rookie Justin Pugh at right tackle Saturday vs. the New York Jets. If that is the case, David Diehl would move to left guard, provided he can play through a hand injury he suffered against the Indianapolis Colts.