Were it not for the especially sieve-like Giants defense, Monday morning would’ve otherwise been a time to hail the usually-fragile Eli Manning, who threw 4 TD passes and sustained more than a bit of battery during New York’s 45-35 loss to Dallas. Manning was on the sidelines for the Giants’ final possession, and there are conflicting reports tonight regarding his condition.



ESPN’s Sir Mort
claims Manning has a slightly separated shoulder and should miss at least a month. Newsday’s Arthur Staple, however, claims “a person familiar with Eli’s injury” says the QB will play against Green Bay at the Meadowlands next Sunday.

The Giants, for their part, have described Manning’s status as day-to-day. There’s not nearly as hopeful a spin being put on the nature of Osi Umenyiora or Brandon Jacobs’ injuries, but I’m very hopeful that Col. Coughlin will find some way of blaming all this on the distraction of not knowing if Tiki Barber was going to stary retired.