Manning likely to lead Giants vs. desperate Eagles

The plan was for Eli Manning to continue observing from the sideline throughout the end of the season.

Instead, all indications point to Manning drawing the start on Monday night when the New York Giants visit the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rookie Daniel Jones supplanted Manning as the starter in September, but he is unlikely to play after suffering a high ankle sprain during last Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

That probably puts Manning back on the field with the Giants (2-10) trying to halt an eight-game losing streak as well as trying to hand Philadelphia (5-7) a damaging setback.

"Eli has played a lot of years at a very high level," New York coach Pat Shurmur told reporters. "We're…