Giants QB Manning expects to play against 49ers

Oct 15, 2008 - 3:10 PM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Eli Manning's consecutive games played streak appears safe.

Manning said that he fully expects to start this weekend's game against the San Francisco 49ers during his weekly radio show Tuesday, one day after suffering a chest injury in the New York Giants' 35-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

"I went in to the hospital, had an MRI and X-rays, nothing major, nothing that's going to keep me out this week," Manning said.

Manning hurt his chest when he was slammed to the ground by 350-pound defensive tackle Shaun Rogers on a completion to Plaxico Burress with 10:16 remaining in the second quarter Monday night.

Manning did not miss any plays, but cameras caught him receiving treatment from the team's medical staff.

A five-year veteran who has not missed a game since Week 11 of his 2004 rookie season, Manning has made 66 consecutive starts for the Giants (4-1), including the playoffs.

"He got hit and then he was driven into the ground," New York Tom Coughlin said Tuesday. "His chest was bothering him after the game, so he was in some pain there."

"I'll be at practice going full speed," Manning said during his radio show. "Nothing broken, no sprains, nothing with the shoulder. It's all in the left side anyway. I have good movement, I have my strength, it's just a little banged up. Nothing that should cause anything to my throwing motion at all."

Coughlin did not say if the injury contributed to Manning's poor play, but the reigning Super Bowl MVP had his worst game of the season, throwing three interceptions. The third one was returned 94 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter when the Giants were trying to rally from a 27-14 deficit.

Manning had not thrown an interception in his previous three games.

Monday's loss snapped an eight-game winning streak for the defending Super Bowl champions, dating to a 38-35 defeat to the New England in last year's regular-season finale. It also ended New York's 11-game road winning streak.