Eli says CTE, injuries not big topics in locker room

Eli Manning said Monday that he thinks “a lot of players don’t want to think about injuries,” and the ramifications of concussions. And the Giants quarterback said he hasn’t heard a ton of talk about the issue in the Giants’ locker room, either. That was part of Manning’s take on the response to a recent study in which Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University linked 110 out of 111 brains of former NFL players to the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which can only be officially diagnosed post-mortem. “I don’t think much about it, for myself,” Manning said. “Around the locker room, I haven’t heard any players talking about that situation a whole lot. Obviously, you worry about the players and former players that are going through that and their families and the difficulties of what former players are going through, you feel for them.

“But … I think a lot of players don’t want to think about injuries, don’t want to think about down the road too much,” Manning added. “Some are, and you see some guys retiring, but I haven’t heard a whole lot of talk about it. I’ve been fortunate and haven’t had any head injuries.”

Asked if he were concerned specifically to see Dr. McKee’s study results, Manning reiterated: “I haven’t had any head injuries, so (I’ll) hope for the best.”

Manning didn’t want to venture too far commenting on Tom Brady’s recent statement

that concussions he’s had in the past aren’t “anybody’s business.” But Manning did say when asked about the fine line for players in sharing injury news with their coaches and the public - that he always tries to “be honest.”

“Well, I think if I’ve ever had an injury, I’ve got to talk to the trainers about it, talk to the coaches, be honest,” Manning said. “But, Tom, I don’t know much information about what that’s all about. So, I’ve kind of been out of the loop on that, but if there’s something hurt, you’ve got to get it fixed.”

PROGRESS FOR SHEPARD

Sterling Shepard (sprained left ankle) did not practice Monday. Manning didn’t throw him a pass in a live drill. But the Giants’ slot receiver looked fast early receiving passes in individual drills, cutting and bursting upfield. Coach Ben McAdoo even said he will be open to playing Shepard in Friday’s preseason opener against Pittsburgh “if he’s ready to go.”

Tavarres King (rolled ankle) was more limited than Shepard but was on field with the team, doing light early work. Linebacker Mark Herzlich and defensive tackle Robert Thomas did not practice for undisclosed reasons. Offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker and receiver Kevin Snead left practice early. Running back Shaun Draughn (ankle) and linebacker J.T. Thomas (knee) remain on the physically unable to perform list.

PROUD ELI

Manning sat out last year’s preseason opener against Miami, which he was unaccustomed to doing, and appeared in only two exhibition games. But he didn’t take well to a Monday question about whether he felt he had gotten enough game action in last year’s preseason.

“I think I got enough action over the last 14 years to get me ready for the upcoming season,” Manning shot back.

McAdoo said the Giants’ haven’t discussed playing time for Friday night’s opener at MetLife Stadium, so it’s unknown how much veterans will play, if at all.