Burress fined and suspended

Burress: fined and suspended

Also see

• Schedule
• On Sky TV
• Messageboards

Plaxico Burress has been fined and suspended for the rest of the NFL regular season by the New York Giants following his arrest on a firearms charge.

The reigning Super Bowl champions also placed him on the reserve non-football injury list, which means the wide receiver will not be able to return for the play-offs either. It is the second time this season he has been suspended by the Giants.

Burress received the punishment just a day after being charged with illegal weapons possession, which carries a penalty of 3½ to 15 years in prison.

The 31-year-old turned himself in to Manhattan police on Monday after accidently shooting himself in the leg in a New York nightclub over the weekend.

Having paid bail of $100,000 he is due back in court on March 31 to attend a hearing on his case.

Burress arrived at Giants Stadium on Tuesday and held individual meetings with Giants president John Mara, general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin.

He subsequently left for a medical test before returning in the afternoon for another brief session with team officials.

"As we have said since Saturday morning, our concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being," Mara stated.

"This is an important time for him to take care of his body and heal up and also deal with the very serious legal consequences and other issues in his life. When I spoke with Plaxico he expressed great remorse for letting down his team-mates."

"I had two conversations with Plaxico today, and it was obvious that he understood the magnitude of this situation," Reese added. "He knows that we are here to support him and help him get healthy."

It is understood the gunshot wound would have sidelined the player for four to six weeks but, following his punishment by the Giants, Burress will not be making a speedy comeback regardless of how his physical recovery evolves.