The New York Giants just announced via Twitter that defensive end Osi Umenyiora will undergo arthroscopic surgery this morning on his right knee. The Giants say recovery time is 3-4 weeks, which should make him available within the first couple of weeks of the regular season.

Wow! I am really surprised by this news. Umenyiora had the knee checked out recently and was given the OK by doctors to return to practice. He had, of course, been refusing to practice in a contract dispute with the Giants. He also began to complain about the knee and many -- yours truly included -- thought he was just using a phantom knee injury as a reason to stay off the field.

There had been no public indications during the three practices Umenyiora participated in that the knee was causing him difficulty. Practice reports seemed to indicate that he was moving well and head coach Tom Coughlin indicated that Umenyiora might even play a few snaps Monday night against the Chicago Bears.

Apparently, though, there is a real issue with Umenyiora's knee. More on this when it becomes available.

-- Check the BBV Twitter page for updates, which I am trying to collect and retweet as quickly as I can.