After missing practice earlier in the week and somewhat surprisingly playing in the preseason opener, Giants wide receiver Ruben Randle limped off after just three plays. His balky knees just didn't want to cooperate.
Randle has been dealing with tendonitis in his knees. It's a problem that has existed to some degree since high school.
Despite practicing little this week in Cincinnati, Randle was on the field for the opening drive Friday night in the Giants preseason opener against the Bengals. He was targeted on a third-down pass. It was a fade route down the right sideline, one that Randle couldn't complete at full speed.
He limped off the field as the Giants went to punt and did not return.
"I felt fine until that last fade," Randle said. "It bothered me right there. I was fine until then.
"I have to see what is causing the problem and fix it. That's all I can do."
As the story said, that could mean temporarily shutting it down. Randle conceded that is an option. It's a shame for Randle, who was making strides in the offense and getting on the same page as QB Eli Manning after struggling for months. With Victor Cruz coming back from a major injury, Randle was going to be a big key to the offense.