ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

	Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
	Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka has been tapped to fill the role of injured All-Pro defense end Osi Umenyiora.

New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka is once again a defensive end. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin made it official this morning that the former first-round draft pick will replace injured Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora at defensive end for the 2008 season.

I'm pretty sure Paul Schwartz of the New York Post broke the story, but it didn't come as a surprise to anyone. Kiwanuka was a defensive end at Boston College and that's where he played his rookie season with the Giants.

Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck are now the starters, but that of course frees up an opening at strong side linebacker. One scenario has veteran Danny Clark moving over from his weak side spot. Gerris Wilkinson, who has battled injuries throughout his career, would assume the weak side spot. As Schwartz notes, you could also move backup middle linebacker Chase Blackburn to the strong side.

That said, Coughlin and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo did what they had to do. Does this preclude them from reaching out to Michael Strahan? Absolutely not.

The Giants flourished with a three-man rotation at defensive end that included Tuck, Umenyiora and Strahan. The prospects of a Tuck, Kiwanuka, Dave Tollefson trio doesn't sound that formidable.

I'm about to crank out a column on the entire episode. Check back at 2 p.m. ET for all the latest details.

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With Osi Umenyiora out for the year, Marcellus Wiley, Erik Kuselias and Mike Golic discuss if Michael Strahan will come out of retirement to help out the Giants defensive line.