Worst-case scenario avoided with Lemieux’s knee

It appears as though the Giants already know what kind of patient Shane Lemieux will be.

Not a very patient one. “One thing I take for Shane, he’s kind of like a wild animal,’’ coach Joe Judge said Friday. “He’d cut his leg off to get through a bear trap if he had to, so him not being out there is kind of driving him nuts.’’

Hopefully there will be no need for Lemieux to cut off any of his appendages in order to escape from anything.

That exhale you heard was from the Giants after they learned that Lemieux, their starting left guard, did not sustain a serious knee injury after he went down during Thursday’s practice and was carted off the field.

The Post reported Thursday that the preliminary indication from a source was that Lemieux did not sustain any structural damage and that the knee was stable. Judge a day later confirmed this after the Giants’ medical team evaluated an MRI exam of Lemieux’s knee.

“I’d say for the next, call it 24-48 hours, we’ll really kind of understand where he’s at,’’ Judge said. “I will say this, I’d say the worst-case scenario looks to have been avoided, we’re happy about that. But, in terms of trying to come out here and try to make a diagnosis on Shane, we’ve got to see where he’s at.’’

This means Lemieux likely will be sidelined for a while, but that he avoided a serious injury. The Giants’ season opener is more than six weeks away, so the 24-year-old Lemieux has time on his side.

As long as he does not drive everyone crazy.

“He’s already been in my office [Friday] talking about the fastest way to get back and, look, my message to him is always when the trainers say you’re 100 percent healthy to go on the field, we’ll put you on the field,’’ Judge said.

Lemieux started the final nine games as a rookie last season and impressed the coaching staff enough to have them move Will Hernandez, the erstwhile starter at left guard, to the right side. Since Lemieux went down, veteran Kenny Wiggins, 32, took over at left guard with the starting offensive line. Wiggins was with the Giants on their practice squad in 2020 and has started 38 NFL games, with the Chargers and Lions.