Eli back, taking nothing for granted

Eli Manning missed one practice and it made headlines.

That says as much about his durability as the frenzy over the Giants as they approach the NFC Championship Game. The Giants' most important player had a stomach bug on Wednesday, but he was back within 24 hours and guiding the offense through its paces in Thursday's workout.

It was the first time he missed a practice since dealing with foot issues in 2009.

But one day he'll miss another. Maybe two or three in a row. Eventually he'll miss a game or a string of games, ending a streak that will be extended to 129 on Sunday. And not long after that, some will speculate about his imminent retirement announcement, much the way the Internet was abuzz on Wednesday when Rob Lowe tweeted that he heard Peyton Manning was calling it a career.

It was just another reminder to Eli Manning that NFL careers do not last forever. He may not have been facing his own football mortality when he had to excuse himself to go to the restroom during Wednesday's practice, but he knows that one day he will be.

"I think we're reminded every year how fortunate we are to play this game and how quickly it can slip away," he said Thursday. "Whether it's an injury, whether it's one of your teammates who you've had here who gets let go, you never know when your last play might be."

Manning has seen both of those up close this season. His brother is recovering from career-threatening neck surgery and did not play a snap this season. And his best friend on the team for most of his career, Shaun O'Hara, was cut at the start of training camp.

That makes this playoff run all the more special for Manning. And considering it could end up in Indianapolis, where his brother rules, it's appropriate for him to have thoughts about how things could end for him.

Maybe with a neck injury. Maybe cut after rehabbing from surgery and considered too old and broken down. Probably not with a stomach bug, but you never really know.

"You play for granted, any season," Manning said. "In this case, in our season, you never know if you're going to get back to this point, playing for an NFC [title]. You try to enjoy this opportunity, enjoy this experience, have fun with it, yet go and make sure you're giving your all in your preparation."

Manning was listed as having practiced fully Thursday, although offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said he did ease up on a few drills in between team reps. "I'm 100 percent," Manning said. "I had a full practice, I did everything, took every rep. I feel good."

Tom Coughlin said Manning texted him late Wednesday night to let him know he'd be back in the morning. "When he got to work, he had a nice breakfast and seemed to do fine," Coughlin said. "I'm sure he is not quite himself, but almost . . . What he missed was the after-practice work and then he was able to come in [Thursday] morning and do some of that."

He was also well enough to snap back at Gilbride. "He took great offense when I said he still looked pale to me," Gilbride said. "He said, 'It's the winter, Coach. Of course I look pale.' "

That seemed to be a good excuse. One day, though, it will be the winter of Manning's career. At age 31, he's in his prime as an NFL quarterback, but he knows a few players who already are there. And one day he'll be joining them.

If nothing else, Wednesday gave the Giants just a sliver of a glimpse of life without Manning. It probably was enough to make them ill, too.