EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Receiver Plaxico Burress did not practice on Tuesday and his status for Thursday's preseason finale against the New England Patriots is uncertain because of a lower back injury.
Coach Tom Coughlin said that Burress worked with the trainers inside Giants Stadium.
Burress missed the first two preseason games because of a sprained ankle. He sat out last weekend's contest against the Jets with the flu.
"We will see," Coughlin said of Burress' availability on Thursday. "I am going to say he is (out) for now, but who knows?"
Veteran long-snapper Ryan Kuehl of the New York Giants was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday with a calf injury.
It marked the second time in five years with the Giants that Kuehl will miss a season because of an injury. An elbow problem sidelined him in 2003.
Rookie linebacker Zak DeOssie will handle the snaps on punts. Rookie defensive tackle Jay Aford will snap on field goals and extra points.
Kuehl was hurt after making a snap in a non-contact punting drill in the opening days of training camp about a month ago.
"He took one step back and it looked like he got shot," punter Jeff Feagles said after the injury.
Starting weakside linebacker Kawika Mitchell will not play on Thursday because of a groin injury suffered against the Jets.
Cornerbacks Kevin Dockery (hamstring) and Gerrick McPhearson (ankle), defensive end Adrian Awasom (hip), center Grey Ruegamer (ankle) and safety Michael Johnson (hamstring) are all day-to-day for the game.
Receiver and special teams star David Tyree had surgery on Monday to place a pin in a broken left wrist. Tyree is expected to be sidelined up to six weeks.
"I talked with him this morning," Coughlin said. "Dave is an optimist and he thinks he will be back sooner than anybody projects, so we will see."
Defensive tackle Manny Wright left practice on Tuesday and was treated for dehydration. He said he had the flu for the past couple of days.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
