Any joy the Giants felt from their 13-12 preseason win over the Baltimore Ravens was tempered by the fact that they lost at least six players to injury, including one — receiver Michael Jennings — for the entire season. Safety Will Demps, tight end Jeremy Shockey, rookie receiver Steve Smith, cornerback Sam Madison and backup offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer all were hurt in the game.

Jennings is facing season-ending surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. Of the others, Demps' dislocated right elbow appeared to be the most serious, though he's optimistic he'll be sidelined for only two weeks.

Most of the injuries occurred within a gruesome two-minute span. Jennings was first, as he reached to make an 11-yard catch on the sideline with 12:45 left in the second quarter. He said he heard a pop and quickly knew it was bad news.

On the next play, quarterback Eli Manning — who was an impressive 10-for-13 for 114 yards — fired a 10-yard touchdown pass to Smith. But after the catch, Smith was hit in the back of the head by a defender and was diagnosed with a concussion after he returned to the sideline and his teammates said he was making no sense.

Four plays into the Ravens' subsequent drive, Demps dislocated his elbow trying to tackle running back Musa Smith. At the same time, Madison pulled up in coverage grabbing his left hamstring. A few minutes later, Shockey was on the sideline with tightness in his left hamstring. And in the third quarter, Ruegamer left with a sprained right ankle.

Demps said he has suffered the same injury before — coincidentally six years ago in a preseason game against the Giants while playing for the Ravens. Back then he was told he'd be out 4-6 weeks, but he said he returned in only 2 1/2.

"They said it's probably a quicker rehab this time," Demps said after the game. "I feel fine. My spirits are good. I'll definitely be ready for (opening night in) Dallas."

The same can't be said for Jennings, who had started the last two games while Plaxico Burress (ankles) remained sidelined. He hobbled out of the locker room last night with an uncertain future as a 27-year-old with little experience facing major surgery.

"I'm just trying to look at the good side of this," Jennings said as he gritted his 14-carat gold-capped teeth. "I don't really know what the good side is right now. I'm just happy I caught the ball."

Aside from Jennings and Demps, no one should miss more than a day or two, but the injuries still overshadowed an otherwise impressive performance, especially for a first-team defense that had been pushed around in the preseason opener. The Giants' first-string held Ravens quarterback Steve McNair to just 29 yards passing and made one interception — by Madison in the first quarter on a badly overthrown deep ball. It also stuffed running back Willis McGahee for just three yards on six carries.

"No matter whether it was against the run or the pass, there was a real intensity," Tom Coughlin said. "I could sense that."

Things were good for the offense as well, particularly Manning, the offensive line and running back Brandon Jacobs (six carries, 23 yards). And rookie kicker Josh Huston chipped in with field goals of 50 and 30 yards.

But it was hard for the Giants to look past the crowded trainer's room.