home > news > sports

Coughlin: Pierce Will Practice With Team

Wednesday, Dec 3, 2008 | Updated 1:13 PM EST

Getty Images

Coughling has to try and keep Pierce's uncertain status from becoming a distraction.

Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce will practice and play while the team gathers information on his involvement in the Plaxico Burress shooting.

Coach Tom Coughlin says each case is different.

The team yesterday fined and suspended Burress for the rest of the regular season. They also placed Burress on the reserve non-football injury list for conduct detrimental to the team, which means he won't be back for the playoffs.

Burress shot himself in the right thigh at a Manhattan nightclub early Saturday morning. Pierce, who was with Burress, has not talked to police about his involvement.

Authorities are trying to determine whether he tried to cover up the shooting.The Giants (11-1) are deep at wide receiver, however, with players such as Domenik Hixon and Sinorice Moss who can replace the man who caught the game-winning pass in the 17-14 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

It would be much harder to replace Pierce.

He might face potential charges and a possible suspension if he did.