Giants' Ballard Undergoes Microfracture Surgery, Could Miss Season

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The news on Jake Ballard just went from bad to worse.

The Giants tight end hasn't just been recovering from surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, suffered in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. He also had microfracture surgery in February on the same knee to repair damaged cartilage, according to the Bergen Record.

"My knee just collapsed," Ballard told the paper. "I definitely tore (my ACL) on the field. I'd say (the cartilage damage) probably happened on the sideline from trying to run with no ACL."

The microfracture procedure could cost Ballard his entire 2012 season. Already facing an eight- to nine-month recovery from the ACL, the 24-year-old may be sidelined for an additional six weeks "because he has been unable to put weight on the leg," the Record reported.

Ballard confirmed the news on his official Twitter account Wednesday: "I didn't have another surgery, I had both surgeries in February. People can keep counting me out for this year, but I haven't!"

Ballard had 38 catches for 604 yards and four touchdowns in 2011. With his strong play in the blocking game, the undrafted free agent made Giants fans forget the loss of starter Kevin Boss.

Backup tight end Travis Beckum has been rehabbing from a torn right ACL, also suffered during the Super Bowl victory. New York signed former Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett to fill the void this offseason.

Will Bennett be able to shoulder the load? Sound off in the comments below...