Burress suspended for failure to appear, not returning calls
ESPN.com news services
Updated: September 24, 2008, 11:14 AM ET
Giants Suspend Burress 2 Weeks For InsubordinationEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. --
Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress was suspended for one game by the New York Giants on Wednesday for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
General manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin informed Burress of the suspension Wednesday morning before the team held a bye-week practice.
The suspension takes effect immediately, meaning Burress will miss the Giants' game against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 5.
The Giants have a bye week, so Burress will lose two paychecks under the suspension. He will not be with the team during the bye week, and won't be allowed to practice with the team next week.
Plaxico Burress' absence won't hurt the Giants much for one game, but it adds an unwanted distraction for the defending Super Bowl champions, ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes. Blog
Burress was not immediately available for comment. Drew Rosenhaus, his agent, did not immediately return a telephone call by The Associated Press for comment.
The Giants did not specify why Burress was suspended. FOXSports.com, which first reported the suspension Wednesday, said Burress did not show up for work on Monday and did not telephone or answer phone messages to explain his absence.
Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said the team was not confirming or denying any reason for the suspension.
Burress, who caught the game-winning, 13-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the Giants' 17-14 win over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, will be allowed to return to team activities the day after the Seahawks game.
Burress was off to a great start this season, with a team-high 18 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown.
The Giants signed Burress to a two-year contract extension that will bump his salary into the $7-million range the next five years. The deal, which included $11 million in guaranteed money that will be paid this season, was signed just hours before the Giants kicked off the season on Sept. 4 against the Washington Redskins.
Burress had 10 catches for 133 yards in a 16-7 win.
Burress had been upset that the Giants had refused to negotiate his contract after the Super Bowl, and refused to practice during a mandatory minicamp in June. He was fined about $25,000.
Despite playing on a sprained right ankle all last season, Burress had a team-high 70 receptions for 1,025 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns. He added 18 catches for 221 yards in the postseason.
Burress caught 209 passes for 3,227 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Giants, with all of the touchdown passes being thrown by Eli Manning.
Payouts and guarantees on portions of the new contract were contingent on Burress participating more in offseason workouts and being more involved in team activities.
His base salary under the new contract is $2 million. His suspension will cost him $235,294.
ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton and The Associated Press contributed to this report
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