New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith underwent successful microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Smith did not undergo a mosaicplasty on the articular cartilage as initially expected, according to a source.

The wide receiver, who suffered the injury in a win over the Vikings over a week ago, faces a long rehabilitation process that could take up to nine months. Smith is expected to be on crutches for six weeks before he can begin his rehabilitation.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said last week that the prognosis was good but said there will be restrictions on Smith during his rehab and practices.

It is likely the Giants will handle their Pro-Bowl receiver with kid gloves the way they did with safety Kenny Phillips, who underwent microfracture surgery last year and was eased throughout the offseason and training camp.

The wideout is in the final year of his contract and this injury could have financial implications in addition to complications of the looming collective bargaining agreement issue.

Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

OFFENSE

Eagles: 402.8 yards per game (1st)

Giants: 385.4 yards per game (4th)

Quarterback

Eagles: The Giants held Mike Vick to a season-worst 83.0 passer rating in the first meeting. They kept him in the pocket or forced him to his right. It was the only game he’s started and finished in which he didn’t throw a TD pass. The Giants are the only team to hold him under 7 yards per passing attempt (6.8).

Giants: Eli Manning has an NFL-high 19 interceptions, including three in the Giants’ Nov. 21 loss to the Eagles. The absence of his go-to third-down guy, Steve Smith, really has hurt him. Manning is 29th in the league in third-down passing with a 52.9 rating. Twelve of his 19 picks have come on third down.

Pick: Eagles

Running back

Eagles: About the only flaw in LeSean McCoy’s game might be his inability to break tackles, and at this early point in his career that’s being picky. He’s fifth in the league in yards from scrimmage and is coming off a 149-yard rushing performance vs. Dallas. He’s got 70 receptions and has developed into a dependable blocker.

Giants: Since being held to 61 rushing yards by the Eagles, the Giants’ ground game has been nearly unstoppable. They’ve averaged 181.7 rushing yards per game in three straight wins. Brandon Jacobs, who had just 78 rushing attempts in the first 10 games, is coming off back-to-back 100-yard performances.

Pick: Eagles

Receiving

Eagles: DeSean Jackson is coming off a 210-yard receiving performance vs. Dallas. He has eight catches of 40-plus yards and 19 of 20 yards or more. In their last three games vs. Giants, Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have combined for 27 receptions, 473 yards and three TDs. Jackson is nursing a foot injury.

Giants: The loss of Steve Smith has left Eli Manning without his most productive third-down target. In the eight games Smith played this season, the Giants had a 37.6 third-down success rate. In the five he’s been out: 32.2. Making matters worse, the other two top WRs – Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham – also are hurting.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles: LT Jason Peters and LG Todd Herremans are playing at a Pro Bowl level. The athleticism of the line has been a big reason for the Eagles’ screen success. Whoever plays RT – Winston Justice or King Dunlap – is going to need help with DE Justin Tuck. Justice struggled in one-on-one matchups with Tuck on Nov. 21.

Giants: This unit is getting healthy at just the right time. LT David Diehl returned last week after missing four games with hip and hamstring injuries. C Shaun O’Hara (foot) has missed nine games, but has a chance to play, which would put this unit at full strength for the first time since Week 4.

Pick: Giants

DEFENSE

Eagles: 327.8 yards per game (12th)

Giants: 281.1 yards per game (2nd)

Defensive line

Eagles: Mike Patterson doesn’t get a lot of attention, but he is quietly having a Pro Bowl-caliber year. He and Antonio Dixon have done an exceptional job against the run. Dixon not only is playing the run well, but has developed into the team’s best interior pass-rusher, getting much-needed push up the middle.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The Giants announced the expected move Thursday and signed tight end Jake Ballard to take his spot on the roster.

Smith injured cartilage in his left knee in Monday night’s win over Minnesota. He finished the season with 48 recepetions.

Defensive back Ben Hannula was signed to the practice squad, taking Ballard’s spot with that group.