If there is a glimmer of hope for Byron Leftwich not getting murdered this week, it is that Giants defensive end Justin Tuck may not suit up for Sunday’s game.

Tuck was hurt in the win over Dallass Sunday night. The injury, to his shoulder, is severe enough that Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who comes from the Bill Parcells/Bill Belicheat School of Open Records, admitted he was concerned over Tuck’s status this week reports Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

Tuck was hurt in the second quarter of the thrilling 33-31 victory over the Cowboys when left tackle Flozell Adams, beaten on an inside rush by Tuck, decided the best way to protect quarterback Tony Romo was to stick out his leg and trip Tuck. Tuck went down and jammed his shoulder. He left the game and was wearing a sling on the sideline in the second half.

Tuck promised he’d play in Sunday’s game in Tampa but today he underwent tests to determine the extent of the injury. Coughlin had no update, just as he had no update on the status of WR Domenik Hixon, who went down in the first quarter with a sprained right knee.

“I really don’t have much,” Coughlin said. “They are going through all of the tests today and we will have to wait and see what the tests say to see where these guys are. I think a big factor will be Wednesday. When we do get the information, how do they feel on Wednesday?”

The Giants defensive front is so deep, that they likely wouldn’t miss Tuck. That means more bruises for Leftwich. Joe is gravely concerned for Leftwich’s safety.