With Manningham hurt, Cruz likely starter

The Giants placed starting wide receiver Mario Manningham in the "doubtful'' category on the injury list with a concussion Friday, and if you wanted to add "extremely,'' no one would argue. Still not cleared to practice, Manningham instead went to an independent neurologist for more tests as part of the NFL protocol for the treatment of concussions.

Coach Tom Coughlin didn't specify a replacement in the starting lineup for Sunday's game in Philadelphia, but there's a good chance second-year player Victor Cruz will get the nod at wide receiver over veteran slot receiver Brandon Stokley.

"I think he would prefer to be in there and we prefer him to be there,'' Coughlin said of keeping Stokley in the slot. "But if it is not a call for the slot to be available, then he has to play the other spot. He can do it.''

Cruz spent the week preparing as if he were going to start opposite Hakeem Nicks.

"I'm definitely going to be involved in the offense a little more this week, which is expected with the injuries we've had,'' Cruz said, referring also to the season-ending knee injury to Domenik Hixon. "We've had a great week of preparation, and we've seen a lot of things in their defense we can take advantage of.''

Excited by rivalryFree-agent center David Baas, who was limited in Thursday's practice by a lower leg injury, practiced fully Friday and is looking forward to his first Giants-Eagles game.

"I haven't been here that long, but I understand it,'' Baas said. "All you've got to do is look at the faces of all the other guys and you understand it. I know the history . I'm just as excited as they are. Maybe it's a tick more for them, but I'm up there.''

Giant steps

Wide receiver Michael Clayton, who was with the Giants last season before being cut in training camp, was re-signed Friday for a limited backup role . . . Tight end Travis Beckum (hamstring) practiced and is expected to make his season debut . . . DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) is out.