New York Giants right tackle David Diehl underwent arthroscopic knee surgery recently, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
David Diehl injury update: Giants OL has minor knee surgery
David Diehl is entering the final year of his six-year contract, but he could be released by the Giants.
Rob Carr
Diehl, 32, has been rehabbing at the Giants’ practice facility, according to Vacchiano. The surgery came after the end of the season. It may have to do with his sprained right MCL that he suffered last year, but there’s no official word, Vacchiano said.
Diehl has one year left on his six-year, $31 million contract he signed before the 2008 season. Diehl has spent his entire 10-year career with the Giants. He was a fifth-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, and he has held up to be one of the most productive linemen drafted in 2003.
Despite having a year left on his contract, the Giants may need to release him or restructure his contract to help the 2013 salary cap, according to Vacchiano:
However, it’s unclear if Diehl will still be with the Giants (in 2013). He is due a $4.825 million salary in 2013 and carries a salary cap number of a little more than $6.9 million. At the NFL scouting combine last week, Giants GM Jerry Reese declined to say if Diehl is still in the team’s plans or whether he’ll be asked to take a pay cut.
Ed Valentine at Big Blue View knows fans are clamoring for Diehl’s release, but it’s not that easy:
... there is a legitimate reason why the Giants could want to keep the 32-year-old around. You can sum that argument up in one word -- versatility.
Diehl didn’t miss a start in his first seven seasons in the NFL. In the last three seasons, he’s missed seven games. He was a Pro Bowler in 2009 and a second-team All-NFL player in 2008.
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