EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – The New York Giants signed 44-year-old punter Sean Landeta as insurance Saturday because it is uncertain if Jeff Feagles can play because of a knee injury in the NFC East showdown against Dallas.

Landeta played on both of the Giants’ Super Bowl championship teams under Bill Parcells, who now coaches the Cowboys.

The 40-year-old Feagles hopes to play in his 300th consecutive NFL game Sunday. He is set to join Atlanta’s Morten Anderson (361), Gary Anderson (353), George Blanda (340) and Jerry Rice (303) as the only players in NFL history to appear in 300 games.

“My knee is sore and I had it treated,” Feagles said Saturday, “I have every intention of being able to play tomorrow.”

If he can’t, Landeta will punt for the Giants for the first time since 1993. He played for the Giants between 1985-93 and last played in the league last season, appearing in five games for the Philadelphia Eagles, averaging 38.3 yards.

Feagles and Landeta are the two most prolific punters in NFL history. They are 1-2 in all the major statistical categories.

To make room for Landeta, the Giants waived defensive tackle Lance Legree.

Feagles practiced all week. He felt soreness in his right (kicking) knee after Friday’s workout and was sent for tests. His condition is a flare-up of his degenerative arthritic knee. He was treated on Friday night and Saturday.

“I am local, and they called me in because they had some concern about Jeff’s knee,” said Landeta, who went through a workout Saturday. “I have been punting two to three times a week in case a situation like this arose. You never want to see another player, especially one like Jeff, have physical problems. Hopefully this provides the Giants with some peace of mind.”

Feagles 1,487 punts place him first in NFL history. Landeta is second with 1,401. Feagles has 61,881 punting yards, Landeta is second with 60,707. Feagles is first with 471 punts inside the 20-yard line, Landeta is second with 381.

Now in his 19th season, Feagles has punted 50 times for a 41.0-yard gross average and a 36.7-yard net average.

Legree was signed on Nov. 16 after Justin Tuck underwent season-ending foot surgery. He played in two games without a tackle in his second stint with the Giants.

AP-ES-12-02-06 1728EST


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.