Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham had some issues with his knee, according to coach Tom Coughlin, but the way he was walking gingerly yesterday suggested “issues” were synonymous with “problems.”
Manningham sat out practice, never a good sign, but said he’ll be ready for the Saints in New Orleans on Monday.
“I’m going to be good for Monday. Just know I’m going to be out there,” said Manningham, who missed a day of practice last week with an achy knee but was able to play against the Eagles.
“He had some issues with his knee so the doctor wanted to see him in there today so he came in and they did some work on him,” Coughlin said. “They kept him in there elevated so he didn’t have to come out here.”
* After trashing Giants fans last week for booing the home team, RB Brandon Jacobs, in completely unsolicited fashion, made sure to make nice yesterday.
So Brandon, how tough is playing in New Orleans?
“We had a bunch of fans there and I’m hoping we have a bunch more there this time as well. We play for a great organization and a great city. New Orleans is a good city, but there’s no city like New York so we got to go out and represent for the biggest city in the world,” said Jacobs, expected to announce his mayoral candidacy any day. “We got to take care of our business Monday night. … For all the people that have supported us from Day One, we got to go out there and do our best for them.”
* The league yesterday fined Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson $10,000 for flipping a ball at Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and levied a $7,500 fine on Philadelphia defensive lineman Trevor Laws for his cheap shot on Eli Manning during Sunday’s game. Jackson’s flip came after a 50-yard reception that was wiped out by the taunting penalty.
“He was just excited about the catch and I think he probably just did it by mistake. I don’t think he did anything intentionally,” said Fewell, who nevertheless admitted, “it shocked me.”
* The Giants’ daily American Medical Association report had some additional concern Thursday because RT Kareem McKenzie (toe) sat out practice. But he was able to return on a limited basis yesterday.
OT Will Beatty (eye, back) is out; LB Michael Boley (hamstring), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), DB Derrick Martin (hamstring) and Manningham did not practice.
DE Justin Tuck (ankle/shoulder) and DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) had limited participation, and RB D.J. Ware, who left the game against the Eagles with a concussion, went through a full practice.
