New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning returned to practice yesterday and showed no ill effects of the injured heel that kept him out the previous two days.
Yet the team is still being cautious about his status for tomorrow’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
Manning is listed as questionable and coach Tom Coughlin said it will more than likely be a game-time decision whether he will play.
“If the medical people think he can play, then he will play,’’ Coughlin said. “We’ll evaluate him every day. I know he wants to play in the worst way, but we’re not going to go against the medical people.’’
Coughlin said that he was “encouraged’’ by the way Manning looked at practice.
“He did fine,’’ Coughlin said. “You want someone who can make the exchanges on handoffs and drop back to plant and throw. He did all of that. If he makes some progress, then I see no reason as to why he won’t play.’’
Manning has made 82 consecutive starts. He has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right heel.
Hasselbeck probable
Matt Hasselbeck has gone from excruciating pain to probable in four days.
Seahawks coach Jim Mora said after Hasselbeck completed his third consecutive practice that he expects his three-time Pro Bowl quarterback to start tomorrow against Jacksonville.
It will be his first game since he broke a rib on a dive for the goal line Sept. 20 at San Francisco.
“Matt got better every day. He got more comfortable every day,’’ Mora said. “We’re going to list him as probable . . . and probable is a pretty good sign that he will play.
“No, I’m not surprised. Matt is a very tough man, physically and mentally.’’
Cotchery takes a seat
Jets wide receiver
Jerricho Cotchery missed practice with a hamstring injury, and coach
Rex Ryan said he could sit out the game against the Dolphins Monday night. “The hamstring’s still bothering him some, so we’ll see,’’ Ryan said. “I’m definitely not ruling him out, but he’s not 100 percent right now.’’ Cotchery is off to a terrific start with 23 catches for 356 yards and a touchdown, and it would be a major blow to the offense if he were sidelined. The Jets were eager to see him on the field Monday night starting opposite newly acquired
Braylon Edwards . . . Steelers safety
Troy Polamalu practiced only lightly for the third day in a row and is not expected to play tomorrow against the Lions. Polamalu, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, has not played since tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sept. 10 against Tennessee. Pittsburgh running back
Willie Parker (left toe) was held out for the third consecutive day and will not play in Detroit . . . Colts safety
Bob Sanders is doubtful for tomorrow night’s game at Tennessee, marking the first time this season he has not been ruled out of a game. “He did fine, came through [practice] in great shape,’’ coach
Jim Caldwell said. “I’m not real sure [if he’ll play]. He’s making good progress.’’ Until this week, Sanders had not practiced since undergoing surgery on his right knee in the spring . . . Redskins coach
Jim Zorn confirmed that running backs
Clinton Portis and
Mike Sellers had a verbal confrontation this week. Zorn said the incident between his starters was “just a lot of nudging and posturing’’ and did not involve pushing, shoving or fisticuffs. He said he did not know what caused the dispute. WRC-TV in Washington reported that Portis and Sellers had a heated argument, with Portis venting frustration over Sellers’s blocking . . . Titans defensive tackle
Tony Brown was fined $10,000 by the league for two hits on Jaguars quarterback
David Garrard last Sunday, one in which he made helmet-to-helmet contact and another when Brown slammed Garrard to the ground.
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