Giants open camp by placing injured players Robbins, Boley on PUP list; Bernard on NFI list

Robbins, Boley placed on PUP, Bernard on NFI list

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York Giants placed linebacker Michael Boley and defensive tackle Fred Robbins on the active physically unable to perform list and put defensive tackle Rocky Bernard on the non-football injury list.

The moves with Boley (hip) and Robbins (knee) on Sunday were expected because the two had undergone surgery.

Bernard, who like Boley signed with the Giants as a free agent in the offseason, was a surprise. He was bothered by his shoulder in a minicamp in June, coach Tom Coughlin said.

The shoulder has healed but Bernard, who signed a four-year, $16 million contract, hurt his hamstring working out on his own after the minicamp.

Since the injury was sustained while he was away from the team, he was placed on the NFI list rather than the PUP list. The distinction is important because players who remain classified as NFI once the regular-season starts do not get paid. Players on the PUP list get paid because their injuries occurred while under team supervision.

Boley, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract, had a torn labrum repaired in June. The former Atlanta Falcon hurt his hip during the Giants’ offseason program.

Boley was expected to miss 8-10 weeks while rehabilitating. Since the surgery, the NFL suspended him for the first game of the regular season for violating its personal conduct policy. The suspension related to a May 2008 incident in which he was charged with battery on his wife after she accused him of becoming “too physical” during an argument.

Robbins had major knee surgery in February. He has started running straight ahead, but Coughlin said he is unable to make cuts.

All three are eligible to start training once they are healthy.