Umenyiora is out for season

Quarterback Peyton Manning was on hand when the Colts made their debut at Lucas Oil Stadium, but didn't suit up. (AJ Mast/Associated Press)

The New York Giants will have to defend their Super Bowl title without a key part of the defense that won it for them.

The Giants learned yesterday that two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora will have season-ending surgery on his left knee.

Umenyiora was hurt in the second quarter of Saturday's exhibition game against the New York Jets, and Dr. Russell Warren told the team that an MRI found a tear in his lateral meniscus.

"It was obviously the news that I did not want to hear," coach Tom Coughlin said.

The normal recovery lasts four months, Coughlin said, adding that a non-surgical option was not discussed.

Coupled with the retirement of seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan a few months ago, Umenyiora's injury makes the Giants a bit thin at defensive end. Justin Tuck has replaced Strahan, and New York signed veteran Renaldo Wynn in the offseason.

Coughlin said the team is considering all its options, with the most obvious being enticing the 36-year-old Strahan to come out of retirement. Strahan retired in June, ending a 15-year career highlighted by the Giants' upset of the unbeaten Patriots.

Agent Tony Agnone said the Giants have not contacted him to ask about Strahan, who is out of the country on vacation.

The Giants also could consider moving strongside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. The former Boston College star was switched to linebacker last year so the team could put its best 11 players on the field.

"I haven't had a chance to talk to him so I am not going to comment on that," Coughlin said.

Taylor out 10-14 days

Umenyiora's injury may have been the most significant of Saturday's games, but it wasn't the only one.

The Washington Redskins will be without defensive end Jason Taylor for 10-14 days with a sprained right knee, putting his availability in doubt for the season opener against the Giants Sept. 4.

Coach Jim Zorn said Taylor underwent an MRI yesterday, a day after the six-time Pro Bowl pick was hurt in a 47-3 loss to Carolina. Taylor was acquired in a trade with Miami last month. He was hurt when his leg bent awkwardly after he ended up in the middle of the pile following DeAngelo Williams's 5-yard run midway through the second quarter.

Oakland lost two players from its already-thin offense to season-ending knee injuries when receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O'Neal went down in Saturday night's 24-0 loss to Arizona.

The Raiders were counting on Carter after signing him to a $2 million contract in the offseason. He set career highs last season with 38 catches for 517 yards and four touchdowns for Carolina.

Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer broke his nose against the New Orleans Saints, but coach Marvin Lewis said he should be ready for the regular season.

Ryan wins No. 1 job

Former BC star Matt Ryan will be the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback this season. The No. 3 overall draft pick was chosen by Falcons coach Mike Smith, who indicated that Ryan will likely play just the first series or two of Atlanta's preseason finale Thursday night at Baltimore. The Falcons also signed tight end Marcus Pollard, a 14-year veteran who had been released by the Patriots Wednesday . . . Xavier Omon ran for one touchdown and Terrence McGee returned a fumble for another score, leading the Bills to a 20-7 victory over the mistake-prone Colts in the debut of Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts were without their top two quarterbacks. Peyton Manning missed his fourth straight game since having knee surgery and backup Jim Sorgi, was a late scratch with a gimpy knee . . . . . . Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins is expected to be ready for the start of the season despite suffering a strained right ankle against the Patriots . . . The Texans placed Harry Williams on injured reserve after he suffered a severe neck injury in Friday's game against Dallas. Houston also re-signed fullback Jon Abbate.