Season OVER For `Plaxico Burress

by **J The Kidd** Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:04 pm

Football season is over for NFL star Plaxico Burress. The New York Giants on Tuesday suspended the wide receiver for the rest of the regular season, and placed him on the reserve non-football injury list for conduct detrimental to the team, which means he won't be back for the playoffs, either.

The decision comes one day after Burress was charged with two counts of illegal weapons possession, stemming from an incident early Saturday morning in which he accidentally shot himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub.

Meanwhile, the Giants expect Antonio Pierce to play in Sunday's game against Philadelphia while the team gathers information about whether the linebacker tried to cover up the shooting. He might face potential charges and a possible suspension if he did, reports Eurweb.com.

Following the shooting, police say Pierce drove Burress to the hospital and returned to New Jersey with Burress' gun in the glove compartment of his black Cadillac Escalade. Investigators impounded Pierce's Cadillac Escalade and are searching it for any blood or gun residue.

Coughlin said Wednesday that he used two words in discussing the Burress situation with the team — disappointment and sadness.

"That sums it all up," Coughlin said. "I had a conversation with Plaxico. He was very humble. He was remorseful. Obviously that doesn't change anything. But you have to understand that he is part of our team and our concern is with he and his family's well being, and the ability of him to get through this circumstance and be healthy again."

The Giants' decision to suspend Burress came down after team physician, Dr. Scott Rodeo, examined him and found that the gunshot wound would sideline the 31-year-old player for 4-to-6 weeks.
Police also plan to interview the people at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center who treated Burress and did not report the shooting, as required by law. Dr. Josyann Abisaab was suspended for not reporting Burress injury. She apparently arrived at the hospital at 2 a.m. to treat him, but it's not clear why she was called. Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said the team has no tie-in with Abisaab, as reported by Eurweb.com.

Hear sports analyst Stephen A. Smith's take on Plaxico Burress.