Finished for the Season: Giants DT Jay Alford; Bears RB Kevin Jones

Giants lose Jay Alford for season, Bears lose Kevin Jones

The New York Giants vaunted defensive line just took a hit when it was learned Jay Alford will need season-ending knee surgery. Ralph Vacchiano tweets:

DT Jay Alford (knee) will have to have surgery and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, according to Tom Coughlin.

Alford is an important cog in the Giants line that has caused havoc around the NFL the past couple of years. He was hurt in the Chicago preseason game and the Giants were hopeful he would return for the season. Luckily, they do have depth but Alford looked to be on the verge of breaking out into full-fledged NFL stud. Tough break for the Giants. Tom Coughlin knows his value:

Coughlin didn't forget what losing the former third-round pick does to the Giants' defensive-line rotation.

"It's a blow to our team," he said. "That's a guy that had played well and had given evidence that he would play well."

The Chicago Bears also got bad news today when they learned that running back Kevin Jones will miss the year after tearing a ligament in his ankle. The Bears haven't confirmed the injury yet, but The National Football Post gets the news from a source. Jones was supposed to be the primary backup to emerging star Matt Forte.

Earlier today, Saints backup tight end Bill Miller was confirmed to be out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.