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Giants' top receiver out rest of season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eli Manning is not going to have go-to Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith for the rest of the season, and maybe longer.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eli Manning is not going to have go-to Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith for the rest of the season, and maybe longer.

Smith, who set a team record with 107 catches last season, injured cartilage in his left knee in Monday's win over the Minnesota Vikings and will need season-ending knee surgery.

An orthopedic surgeon told the Associated Press that the surgery requires a long rehabilitation, although it is possible that Smith might be ready for training camp.

Smith was hurt on the opening play of the fourth quarter when he was tackled from behind on a 12-yard reception, his 48th of the season. The game was his first since he suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle in practice on Nov. 11.

"I feel bad for Steve," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He fights his way back, he gets back on the field, he gets a little bit acclimated to game conditions again, and then is injured."

Smith is the fifth Giants receiver to be knocked out since minicamp, and the third since the season started, joining Ramses Barden and Victor Cruz.

The bottom line is the Giants (9-4) will host the Eagles (9-4) on Sunday in the showdown for first place in the NFC East with Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham being Manning's prime targets. Derek Hagan, Michael Clayton, and Devin Thomas will fill in when the team uses three- or four-receiver packages.

Nicks returned to the lineup Monday after missing three games with a lower leg injury and said he was sore on Wednesday. Manningham had to leave the game with a hip injury. While Manning called Smith's injury unfortunate, he said the other receivers have to step up.

"We have Hakeem back and Mario, those guys are playing well," Manning said. "Hagan has been here for a month and is playing well, and Michael Clayton. We have numbers now, where we can put guys in different positions and they can go out there and play well."

The burden will fall on Nicks, who had seven catches for 96 yards against the Vikings. His nine touchdown receptions lead the team.

"I don't feel like it puts more pressure on me," he said. "I just have to rise up to the occasion. Mario Manningham will step up, Derek Hagan will step up. I'm just going to continue to hold it down on my part."

Manningham guaranteed that he would be ready for Sunday, despite missing the second half against the Vikings. He did not practice Wednesday.

"I'll be all right," he said. "Trust me. I'll be good to go."

Hagan, who has caught 13 passes since re-signing with the Giants four games ago, said it's all hands on deck for the injury-ravaged wide-receiver corps.

"It's almost like every year there is one position which is always hurt on any team," said Hagan, who was cut at the end of training camp. "It's unfortunate, but injuries happen in this game and you have to have guys who can come in and play right away."