Giants have Carr ready if Manning can’t play

From combined dispatches

With 79 career starts, David Carr knows how much Eli Manning wants to be on the field when the New York Giants meet Oakland on Sunday.

Manning’s teammates said he’s a competitor who will play if he’s able. Carr said he wants to be out there just as much, and his chances of playing this weekend seemingly improved when Manning missed his second straight practice Thursday with an injured right heel.

After practice, coach Tom Coughlin declined to predict whether Manning would be able to start his 83rd straight game, saying only that inflammation in Manning’s heel was feeling better.

A decision on whether Manning plays may not be made until Sunday.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2002, Carr isn’t worried. He told himself he was going to start after Manning was hurt Sunday in a victory over Kansas City, and the worst that can happen is he doesn’t.

“You have to prepare yourself one way or you are going to be riding a roller coaster all week,” said Carr, who last started a game in 2007 for Carolina. He was 10-for-22 for 95 yards passing and two interceptions in a loss to New Orleans.

SEAHAWKS: All signs are pointing toward Matt Hasselbeck returning to quarterback for reeling Seattle on Sunday against Jacksonville.

The three-time Pro Bowl passer looked sharp while completing a second consecutive practice. It’s his first work since he broke a rib Sept. 20 at San Francisco.

CARDINALS: The NFL gave Arizona a 24-hour extension to the television blackout deadline for Sunday’s game in Glendale against Houston. In order to air live on local television, league rules require games to be sold out 72 hours before kickoff.

Arizona’s blackout deadline was extended until Friday afternoon.

PATRIOTS: Oft-injured running back Fred Taylor is sidelined again and could need surgery on his right ankle after leading New England in rushing this season.

Taylor is expected to miss Sunday’s game at Denver after sitting out his second straight day of practice amid an ESPN.com report that he needs surgery. He should play again this season unless there are complications, the report said.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said he was not aware Taylor needs surgery.

DOLPHINS: Linebacker Joey Porter and two other injured defenders returned to practice in preparation for their Monday night game against the New York Jets. Porter, linebacker Akin Ayodele and end Phillip Merling were all in pads after sitting out Wednesday.

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