The news surrounding Giants receiver Steve Smith’s season-ending knee injury continues to get worse.
The team’s ’09 leading receiver will undergo microfracture surgery and mosaicplasty on his knee, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. His rehab could take 6-9 months, according to Newsday.
That could put Smith’s status for the start of next season in some jeopardy and it cost Smith a significant amount of money this offseason. Set to be a free agent, Smith was still playing under his rookie contract. He would have probably received a new deal by now if not for the labor uncertainty.
Smith has a unique skill set as a strong route runner with good hands, but that skill set often doesn’t get paid as much as deep threats. It’s possible he could have to sign a short-term deal to get the long-term money his production warrants.