Mario Manningham Injury: Giants Stud WR out for New York Showdown vs. Jets

If the Giants are going to win the crucial Big Apple battle against the Jets they are going to have to do it without Mario Manningham.

Manningham has been struggling with knee issues for weeks. Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger reported that prior to their Week 13 game that Manningham had told reporters that "there are things 'floating' in his knee and that season-ending surgery is a possibility."

This is a big hit for the Giants as they were already dealing of having to play without the services of tight end Jake Ballard. He is also dealing with knee injuries and was ruled inactive on Friday.  

This leaves the Giants' passing game more reliant on starters Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and also means that young wide receiver Ramses Barden should get some looks as the third receiver.

Barden has eight catches for 90 yards on the season.

The G-men enter this game at 7-7. They are a game behind the Cowboys in the NFC East. With a win, they will guarantee themselves a shot to win the East in Week 17 as they host the Cowboys. 

If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, the Giants will have have a shot to win the East if they win or lose. New York won the first meeting between these two teams, and a victory in Week 17 would give them the tiebreaker.

The Giants also still have a slim hope in the wild-card race. They are two games behind the Falcons and the Lions.