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Many of you have wanted David Diehl out of the New York Giants' lineup for years now. Well, you are going to get your wish -- at least temporarily.
The Giants announced Wednesday that Diehl will undergo surgery Wednesday afternoon to repair what is being called an "unstable right thumb." He is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Diehl practiced Tuesday with a cast on his right hand and said he would be "all right."
The Giants had an MRI of Diehl's thumb taken, however, and determined the surgery was necessary. It will be performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery by Dr. Robert Hotchkiss.
Here is more detail on why Diehl needs surgery:
RT @MikeGarafolo: David Diehl's surgery will be to repair ligaments and a torn capsule in his thumb, which is out of the socket, per source
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 21, 2013
Like Diehl or not, this is another blow to an offensive line that has already been shuffled by the knee injury suffered by starting center David Baas.
The Giants have limited options now in terms of replacing Diehl. The first would be to return Kevin Boothe to guard and insert Jim Cordle as the starting center. The second option would be to move second-year man Brandon Mosley into the lineup at the left guard spot Diehl was moved to on Tuesday. The Giants could also consider James Brewer for the left guard spot.
"We'll be fine,'' Boothe said on Wednesday. "Obviously Dave's injury is a tough one. If anybody can play through it, Dave can so for it to be that significant it's something that needed attention now. We'll regroup. Unfortunately we've had experience with guys going down so we'll respond.''
[Note by Ed Valentine, 08/21/13 2:17 PM EDT: Looks like Jim Cordle is your new starting center.]
Confirming 1st OL in team drills: Jim Cordle at C, Kevin Boothe back to LG, Beatty, Snee + Pugh remain in their spots #NYG
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 21, 2013