EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Plaxico Burress' sprained right ankle has become more of a concern for the New York Giants.
The wide receiver, whose five touchdown catches is tied with Randy Moss of New England for most in the NFL, traveled to Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday to have the ankle examined by noted orthopedist Dr. Robert Anderson.
"When he plays, it gets sore again and it has been a kind of a continuous nagging thing," Coughlin said of the injury that occurred during training camp in August.
Burress, who missed all four preseason games, has played in the first three regular-season games, but has had little practice. Before last week's game with Washington he only practiced on Friday on a limited basis.
Coughlin refused to speculate on the status of the eight-year veteran for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Like the Giants, they are 1-2 and two games behind Dallas in the NFC East.
"Hopefully (there will be) some further recommendation as to what can be done to relieve the issue," Coughlin said. "Plaxico actually the other day said to us that he has to practice. He has got to practice. He is not practicing and he is coming into the games. To his credit he knows his assignments, but obviously he is not as sharp as he could be."
Nevertheless, Burress has become Eli Manning's money receiver. Five of his 15 catches have gone for touchdowns, including a winning 33-yard catch and run with 5:32 to play in the 24-17 win over the Redskins on Sunday.
Manning refused to discuss the injury, and he wasn't concerned that Burress missed another practice on Wednesday.
"I think with our timing everything will be fine," Manning said. "It's just about him getting back in the flow of things. With anybody who doesn't practice for a week or misses a few days, it takes a little bit to get back in the flow of things."
Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce was confident Burress would be on the field against the Eagles.
"Plax, we call him 'Game Day,"' Pierce said. "On game day he shows up regardless of what anyone wants to say about him during the week. The guy has been in the league long enough, eight years, and he knows how to take care of himself."
When told Burress was in North Carolina seeing a specialist, Pierce smiled.
"I know he will be here on Sunday," he said.
Burress has been the Giants' most productive receiver against the Eagles' pressure defense. In three games last season, he had 17 catches for 323 yards -- a 19-yard average -- and three touchdowns, including a winner in overtime in the second week of the season and two touchdowns in the wild-card playoff game. The 6-foot-5 speedster has 25 catches for 473 yards and four touchdowns in the five games against Philadelphia since he signed with New York in 2005.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
