For the Giants, incredibly, it can get worse.

And it just has.

After losing three cornerbacks, defensive tackle Marvin Austin and backup linebacker Clint Sintim to season-ending injuries in the past month, the Giants will now be without their starting middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, according to someone informed of the injury. The person requested anonymity because the Giants haven't yet commented on the situation.

ProFootballTalk.com was first to tweet the news.

Someone else informed of the specifics of the injury, who also asked not to be named, said Goff knocked knees with a teammate in practice on Monday. He left to ice his knee, but was still having issues today, so he went for an MRI that revealed the full extent of the injury.

The person said linebacker Kawika Mitchell is on his way for a visit and might be added to help fill the void created by the loss of Goff. Mitchell has not yet been signed, though.

Mitchell, 31, was with the Giants in 2007, though he played the weak side while Antonio Pierce manned the middle. Mitchell, a middle linebacker with the Chiefs in his first four NFL seasons, also played for Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell for all of 2008 and five games of 2009 before suffering a season-ending injury.

As for options on the roster, the team has left itself nothing but rookies behind Goff. Greg Jones, a sixth-round pick, was impressive in spurts in the preseason but is nowhere near ready to assume such a role as the starter in the middle. Undrafted rookie Mark Herzlich saw some time in the middle, but like Jones, moving into a starting role after a short offseason and training camp would be a stretch. The backup in the middle during the preseason was Phillip Dillard, the team's fourth-round pick last year, though he was waived and not added to the practice squad.

"I wish for my former teammate and my friend Jon goff for a fast recovery and and a long career," Dillard wrote on his Twitter account. "my prayers for him u never wanna see that"

Goff, a fifth-round pick in 2008 who has worked to become a more complete player, was in line for a sizable payday after the season, as this was the final year of his rookie contract. He now joins cornerback Terrell Thomas, wide receivers Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon and linebacker/defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka as Giants who suffered serious injuries in their contract seasons over the past two years.

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"When something like that happens, it brings us closer together," Goff said of the injuries to the cornerbacks after they occurred. "Because we all wish those guys well on a speedy, healthy recovery. We all have to hit the ground running for them and for ourselves. Some other guys will have to be in position and will need to step up and produce."

For more Giants coverage, follow Mike Garafolo on Twitter at twitter.com/MikeGarafolo

Mike Garafolo: mgarafolo@starledger.com