(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-18 09:44

NEW YORK - The New York Giants suffered a blow to their hopes of clinching a playoff berth after Pro-Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey sustained a broken leg in Sunday's defeat to the Washington Redskins.

Shockey was hurt with 11:11 remaining in the third quarter of the 22-10 home loss when his leg got caught under wide receiver Amani Toomer as they were blocking for Brandon Jacobs on a three-yard run.

"He's one of our leaders," quarterback Eli Manning told reporters. "It's going to be tough to overcome that."

Shockey had two catches for 18 yards in the game. Rookie back-up Kevin Boss had two catches for 31 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown.

"We've got a tough challenge ahead of us playing without him," said Manning, whose Giants (9-5) travel to Buffalo to play the Bills (7-7) on Sunday before ending the season at home against the unbeaten New England Patriots.

Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowler, is the third Giants player to break his fibula in the last five games, joining linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka and running Derrick Ward.

"It's part of the business, part of the risk you take when you go out there," Giants defensive end Michael Strahan said.

"Losing Shockey is definitely going to hurt because he's not only an emotional leader and all those things, but he also makes plays for you."