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Terrell Thomas' bad injury luck continues.

Earlier this week, the Giants cornerback underwent surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee -- his third such surgery in seven years -- according to two people with knowledge of the procedure. Those people requested anonymity because the Giants have not announced the surgery.

Thomas, 27, missed the 2011 season with a torn ACL and "aggravated" that same injury during training camp this year. The verdict was that Thomas could rehab without surgery, but the team ended up placing him on season-ending injured reserve during final cuts in August. As his rehab continued, it became clear something wasn't right.

Thomas had a scope on the knee, which revealed a partial tear to the ACL, the people said. He had surgery to repair the ligament on Tuesday, performed by noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla.

The recovery time is ideally six months, the person said.

Thomas first injured his right ACL while at USC, then again last preseason. He re-injured the knee during training camp this year when he slipped on a drill.

The Giants re-signed the former second-round pick to a four-year deal this past winter before he would have hit free agency, but they protected themselves against injury.

The team signed the veteran cornerback to a four-year, $28 million contract a few hours before he would've hit the free-agent market this winter, but they protected themselves against injury. Most of that money is contingent upon the team picking up the option next spring, which his re-injury makes the Giants unlikely to do.