Eli Manning on potentially returning as Giants starting QB: 'Business as usual'

Manning also said he wasn't thinking about his future just yet

12/4/2019, 6:03 PM

The Giants revealed Wednesday that QB Daniel Jones suffered a high ankle sprain against the Packers on Sunday, and though Pat Shurmur won't say it definitively, Eli Manning should be getting the start against the Eagles on Monday night. 

So the veteran signal caller that spent 15 years leading the Giants offense will return after taking a back seat these past 10 games for Jones' rookie progression. It was in that moment leading up to Week 3 that many believed it was the official end of Manning's time with the Giants -- and that still might be what happens when the regular season is over at the end of the month. 

But Manning hasn't been viewing things that way, especially not now with a start -- and maybe more -- in his sights. It's time to get down to business.

 

"Business as usual," Manning told reporters when asked how he will be viewing this week if he starts," in the sense of you get the gameplan, start prepping for Philly but [playing] a defense I've faced for a number of years -- know them well."

We haven't heard from Manning in weeks as he assumed this new role as the team's backup. And while he was on the sideline watching Jones, Manning said he wasn't thinking about the future at all. 

"Try to take it one game at a time," he said. "You never want to make decisions about your future while you're living in the present and you don't know the circumstances that could happen."

If the Giants had a farewell game in mind -- something Manning may not have even been down for in the first place -- those plans are likely dead. There's a good chance Manning could be starting the final four games of the season if Jones' recovery doesn't pan out in the next few weeks. 

However, he sounded confident that he'd be able to get back in time to play before his rookie campaign is set in stone. Jones suffered a high ankle sprain at Duke last season on his other foot, so he has an idea of how long it will take to return. 

"It's tough to tell a year from now," he said when asked if this sprain feels the same as the last. "I'm confident I'll heal pretty quickly."

So the roles are reversed once again, with Jones having to help Manning prepare for the Eagles just as he did with the Cowboys and Bills in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively.

Due to Manning's advanced knowledge compared to his, Jones knows, "I think what he can help me with is different than what I can help him with."

Manning had praise for Jones over these past few weeks, saying he particularily loves his work ethic in preparation each week. 



"Daniel's competing, learning, makes a lot of great plays," Manning said. "He's doing everything to get prepared and make progress each week. Been impressed with his work ethic and his dedications to get to play each week.

"Daniel wants to play, he's going to do everything possible to get back and rehab. He's a young kid, I'm sure he'll bounce back quickly."

Until that happens, though, the team is Manning's once again to lead. It's been eight straight games they've lost, and they have a rival on the road to face on primetime TV. It's a tough task to jump right back into those conditions, but Manning believes not being banged up and having a fresh body helps his case. 

"Physically I feel good. I had time to get extra workouts to stay in shape," he said. 

Manning went 0-2 to start the season, throwing only two touchdowns and two interceptions as the offense couldn't muster anything up against the Cowboys and Bills. If he can somehow prove that he hasn't skipped a beat and perform well on Monday night, maybe these next few games could be a bit of a showcase for next season. 

Don't tell him that, though. 

"Not worried about that. I'm trying to go out there, play hard and compete," he said.

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