Giants: Osi Umenyiora 'Says' He Has Sore Knee; Surgery Needed Or Contract Ploy?

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Unhappy Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora missed the first four days of practice because of his contract situation.

Here is where it gets interesting: the team said Osi sat out Thursday "because he says he has a sore knee."

Emphasis on "he says."

And according to the New York Post, Umenyiora "has told the Giants he may need knee surgery."

The Wall Street Journal was first to report on Thursday that Umenyiora has a meniscus cartilage issue -- one that can be played on without surgery, though according to the paper, he's "very likely" to go under the knife and "milk" the recovery time.

But is it just an excuse for Umenyiora to sit out while his agent, Tony Agnone, tries to land a new deal?

"If the Giants and Jerry Reese call Agnone this morning and say (they have a new contract)," WFAN's Marc Malusis said on Friday morning, "do you think Osi Umenyiora would be at the hospital for special surgery next week, looking at that ... meniscus?"

Umenyiora missed the 2008 season after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee.

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end has two years left on a deal that will pay him roughly $7.1 million. He failed to report to training camp on Friday, alleging that Reese failed to live up an offseason promise to renegotiate his contract after a 2010 season when he had 11.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles.

"Nothing yet," Umenyiora said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday when asked if there was any progress on a new deal.

Do you believe Osi? Sound off in the comments below...

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