Reports: Giants' Osi Umenyiora To Have Second Opinion On Knee

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The Giants' training camp drama with Osi Umenyiora may soon be over. But first, the unhappy defensive end will make a trip to Atlanta this week for a second opinion on his "sore" left knee.

If all goes well, according to multiple reports, Umenyiora may finally participate in Giants practice.

"He'll visit the doctor in Atlanta, and he'll consult with (the Giants' head physician and trainer) and they'll all decide what the best course of action is," Tony Agnone, Umenyiora's agent, told the New York Daily News on Tuesday. "Hopefully ...  this will lead to him being back on the field."

Agnone told the New York Post that the exam on his client's troublesome knee is "to see if we can get him on the field."

The Giants said in a statement last Thursday that Umenyiora has been a non participant "because he says he has a sore knee."

Much was speculated about the team's wording: "he says." The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Umenyiora's meniscus cartilage issue can be played on without surgery, though he's "very likely" to go under the knife and "milk" the recovery time.

The defensive end missed the 2008 season after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. A hip injury also bothered him throughout the 2010 season.

"We don't want it to become a constant irritant," Agnone told the Daily News. "We don't want him to go through what he went through with his hip last year. But the object of this is to get him back on the field."

Umenyiora's camp has been seeking a long-term extension or trade from the Giants. They have also reportedly been pushing the Giants to shorten the length of Umenyiora's deal so he could become a free agent before the 2012 season.

He is due to make $7.1 million in base salary over the remaining two years of his contract.

Umenyiora's surprising about-face comes on the heels of Giants co-owner John Mara telling the Newark Star-Ledger: "I think it will be resolved and he'll be a Giant this year."

According to one report, the Giants have offered a contract incentive to Umenyiora that would kick in if he records 13.5 sacks this season.

Umenyiora, who has 60 career sacks, only met the 13.5 mark once, when he dropped opposing quarterbacks 14.5 times in 2005. He came close with 13 in 2007 and 11.5 last season.

Is it a lock that Osi will be on the field for the Giants next week? Sound off in the comments below...