Report: Umenyiora could be practicing by Monday

Osi Umenyiora’s public spat with the New York Giants could come to an end today after he sees a specialist to examine his left knee in Atlanta.

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that with medical clearance Umenyiora could be back in action with the Giants as soon as Monday, a development that would no doubt be a relief for the team even though no new contract agreement has been hatched.

I hope so," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Yeah, I really do. I hope we get some closure on that chapter and start on a new one."

Umenyiora needs to be reassured the cartilage issue he has in the knee is OK. With him headed to seek an outside medical opinion, it’s pretty clear the Giants believe he is OK.

"I am thinking that whatever is in the best interest of our team right now, that's the only thing I've thought about," Coughlin said. "We will manage whatever we have to manage. We've done it with the hip. We couldn't practice Osi both Wednesday and Thursday (last year), so we practiced one day under those circumstances."

According to the report, the team would likely proceed by carefully monitoring Umenyiora’s practice reps. They’d much prefer to do that than watch him sit on the sideline riding an exercise bicycle, which is what he’s been doing throughout most of training camp. I

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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