EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey won’t be benched for comments that the New York Giants were outcoached in a recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

After first refusing to answer the question, coach Tom Coughlin said Tuesday that Shockey would start against the Washington Redskins this weekend if his sprained right ankle was OK.

“We’ll see about his health and his condition,” a miffed Coughlin said Tuesday after practice. “If he can go, he’ll start.”

Shockey hurt his ankle in the final preseason game, but he has appeared in the first three regular-season games for the Giants (1-2). He rested the ankle this past week with a bye, but there was some question about his status for Sunday’s game because of his postgame comments after a 42-30 loss to Seattle on Sept. 24.

The volatile five-year veteran had a temper tantrum on the sideline late in the game and in the locker room afterward said the coaching staff did not prepare the team for some things the Seahawks used.

Coughlin spoke to him the next day and Shockey apologized. At the time, Coughlin refused to say whether disciplinary action was taken.

In the 2005 season, Coughlin benched receiver Plaxico Burress for the first quarter against San Diego for reporting late for a meeting during the week.

Coughlin refused to answer whether being late for a meeting deserved the same treatment as ripping the coaching staff after a brutal loss. Shockey was not available for comment Tuesday.

Running back Tiki Barber, who criticized Coughlin after a playoff loss to Carolina last season, was certain Shockey would not be benched, even before the coach spoke.

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“I don’t think there were any tensions between Jeremy and the coach,” Barber said. “I think Jeremy said some things that he probably regretted and that were not accurate, and it was done after it was done.”

Burress was very savvy on the topic. He was benched in the second half of the Seattle game after back spasms led to a fumble and an interception on a bobbled pass.

He said his back is fine and that he has put all his problems behind him — the ones from last year and this year.

“We’re focused on winning football games and getting guys back on the field healthy,” Burress said. “It’s a sport where frustrations and tempers are going to flare every now and then. Some things should not be said or done. As adults we learn from them and keep going and just go out and answer all the criticism by going out and playing hard.”

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Barber said the recent controversy will not affect the team, which felt it was a Super Bowl contender coming out of training camp. He also understands the difference between Coughlin’s decision to bench Burress and not Shockey.

“It’s about responsibility,” Barber said. “If you are not accountable for meetings and things of that nature, you shouldn’t be granted the right to play. I think coach Coughlin follows that to a T.”

Despite his injury, Shockey is tied for third on the team with 11 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.