by Jay Glazer

The New York Giants wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the right thigh Friday night, FOXSports.com has learned, not long after being ruled out of Sunday's game against the Redskins with a hamstring injury in the same leg.

The New York Post cited sources who said that Burress shot himself after midnight at the LQ nightclub and needed to be hospitalized.

The Post also said that Burress, 31, was allegedly trying to enter the club with teammate Antonio Pierce when they were stopped by security guards.

Burress, who caught the game-winning touchdown against the Patriots in January, admitted to the guards that he was carrying a gun. He then allegedly went over to a secluded area with a guard and took the gun out, the Post said.

Burress apparently started trying to unload the gun and bobbled it. An accidental shot went off and went through his leg.

Security tried to call an ambulance, but Burress said no. He took himself to Cornell Medical Center, where he was released at 2 p.m. Saturday after being treated, according to the Post.

In 2005, bodyguards for rapper Ja Rule allegedly shot two men, one fatally, at the same club.

Newsday reported that Burress has a concealed-weapon permit from the state of Florida that expired in May 2008. It is unclear if the permit was renewed; such a license can be renewed up to six months beyond the expiration date in accordance with section 790.06(11)(a) of Florida Statutes.

However, the states of New York and New Jersey do not recognize permits from Florida, so Burress could be charged in the incident.

The NFL also is likely to investigate whether Burress violated its Personal Conduct Policy, which might lead to a suspension.

"We are aware of the fact that Plaxico was involved in an apparent accidental shooting (Friday) night," the Giants said in a written statement.

"We have been in contact with Plaxico since shortly after the incident. Plaxico suffered a wound to his right thigh. Obviously, our primary concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being, and given the circumstances, we are relieved to say he was released from a New York City hospital."

The Giants have discussed the matter with NFL security and are attempting to gather more details.

"This incident could become a matter for law enforcement officials, and because of that we have no comment on any of the details," the team said.

Added NFL spokesman Joe Browne: "We are gathering information, just like everyone else."

This has been a troubled year for Burress, who opened the season with a lengthy contract dispute. The 31-year-old also was suspended for a game and fined $117,500 for missing a team meeting and failing to notify the team of his absence. He said he had a family emergency.

He also was fined $45,000 by the NFL for his conduct during a game against the 49ers in October when he abused an official and tossed a ball into the stands.

"Like I said, I am human," Burress said last month in discussing his runs-ins with the team. "I have made some mistakes. I haven't made the best of decisions, I am aware of that, and I am the first one to look myself in the mirror, be honest with myself, and say that."

"But as far as me going out and playing hard, I am going to keep going out and competing," he added. "Like I said, I just keep going out and doing what is asked of me on the football field, and in whatever that role may be I hope I go out and fulfill it."

The Giants are atop the NFC standings with a 10-1 record and are vying for their seventh straight win Sunday when they face Washington.

Burress initially pulled his injured right hamstring in the Giants' win over Baltimore on Nov. 16. He then aggravated the injury in the opening series last Sunday against Arizona, and then sat out the rest of that game.

Domenik Hixon, who is dealing with an ankle injury, will start in Burress' place Sunday.

Burress signed a five-year, $35 million contract hours before the season opened in September.

The signing came after an unsettling offseason during which Burress was fined $25,000 for refusing to practice during a mandatory minicamp in June. He also missed most of training camp at the University at Albany with a sprained ankle. He insisted the injury — not his contract — kept him off the field.

Despite his lack of practice, Burress started in the opener against Washington and caught 10 passes for 133 yards. The following week he had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in a win over St. Louis.

The rest of the season has not been as productive. The most passes he has caught in any game since is four in a loss to Cleveland on Oct. 13, the game which followed his suspension.

Burress has 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns in a season in which he has constantly drawn double coverage. His streak of receptions in 115 consecutive games ended last week in Arizona. He aggravated his hamstring injury during the first series and did not return.

It was the sixth-longest active streak in the league, dating to Nov. 26, 2000 against Cincinnati, Burress' rookie season in Pittsburgh.

Signed as a free agent in 2005, Burress had caught a pass in all 56 previous games in which he had played for the Giants.

The New York Post and The Associated Press contributed to this report.