East Rutherford, NJ (My Sportsbook) - The New York Giants defensive front took a hit on Friday with the announcement that defensive tackle Jay Alford will miss the 2009 season with a knee injury.

Alford, expected to be a key contributor up front for the Giants, tore ligaments in his left knee during an August 22 preseason loss to the Bears. He underwent surgery Friday to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in that knee. Team physician Russell Warren performed the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

The 26-year-old Penn State product was entering his third pro season and had played alongside the first-team defense in training camp with fellow linemen Fred Robbins and Barry Cofield already nursing injuries.

Alford played in all 16 games for New York last season, starting in three and amassing 26 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. Over 32 career regular-season games, Alford has 34 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. He has 12 tackles and one sack in five postseason contests. His sack was a big one as it helped clinch Super Bowl XLII for the Giants with New England's Tom Brady being brought down for a 10- yard loss with 19 seconds left in the game.