It’s not exactly the legend of Sleepy Hollow, but Eli Manning will be the helmetless quarterback today when the Giants hit the practice field.
Manning was knocked out of the Aug. 16 preseason opener against the Jets with a three-inch laceration in his forehead that required 12 stitches to close. Manning had the stitches removed Friday, and, somewhat surprisingly, the Giants have cleared him to return, though he’s not yet been cleared to wear a helmet. That clearance should come sometime this week.
Tom Coughlin said the entire team will be careful and cognizant of the unique situation.
“We do not allow anybody to touch the quarterback,” Coughlin said. “We don’t like people coming down the bow, it happens once in a while but not too often.
“Most of our guys are really good at if they do get free they come up the field past the quarterback,” he said. “We don’t allow them to put their hands up or put their hands anywhere near where the quarterback’s arm or release point would be. I think we can practice under those conditions.”
Manning will wear a baseball hat as his only protection for the wound, which is on the upper left side of his forehead.
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LG Rich Seubert
practiced last week, but hasn’t played in the preseason because of a broken left hand. He’s been cleared to play Saturday vs. the Ravens. . . . RB D.J. Ware
and safety Sha’reff Rashad
will undergo concussion tests tomorrow. Both were forced out of Saturday’s game with concussions. . . . Newly signed offensive lineman Shawn Andrews
will practice today, but Coughlin didn’t say if Andrews will work at guard or tackle.
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WR Ramses Barden
, who still is dealing with lower back issues, will not be able to return to practice. Safety Michael Johnson
is in the same boat, but might be able to return soon.
Asked if Barden and Johnson’s back problems involve any disk or structural concerns, Coughlin said, “There’s some of that.”
Barden said he has no issue with his disk and that nothing structurally is wrong with his back.
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A limited number of individual Giants game tickets will be available for purchase tomorrow starting at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com.