EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants lost another game Sunday, and lost two key defensive players as well.

Middle linebacker Jon Beason and cornerback Walter Thurmond suffered injuries in the Giants’ 25-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and their availability for next week and beyond is uncertain.

Beason and Thurmond both exited the game in the second half and did not return. Beason suffered a toe injury, and will undergo an X-ray and MRI. Coach Tom Coughlin said he thinks it is the same toe Beason injured in the spring, which caused him to miss the entire preseason.

Thurmond suffered a pectoral injury and said he will have tests done Monday as well.

“It’s kind of sore right now,” Thurmond said. “Hopefully it’s not too bad, where I can come back very quickly from this. I’ll know more in the next couple days.”

Beason was credited with turning the Giants’ defense around last season after coming over via trade from the Carolina Panthers in October, and he was named a defensive captain prior to the start of this regular season.

His injury left the Giants very thin at linebacker, since rookie Devon Kennard was inactive due to a hamstring injury. Mark Herzlich, primarily a special teams player, had to enter in Beason’s place.

Thurmond is the Giants’ third cornerback but plays a lot, with teams using three and four wide-receiver sets so frequently. Trumaine McBride stepped in for Thurmond -- McBride did play very well last season for the Giants after replacing the injured and ineffective Corey Webster.