By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning wore his helmet during practice for the first time since suffering a three-inch gash to his forehead in the preseason opener against the Jets on Aug. 16.
The helmet was not Manning's usual gear but "there's nothing special about it," he said to reporters after practice on Wednesday. "No new padding or anything."
After practicing in a baseball cap all week, the now helmet-clad Manning will start Saturday's preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The new helmet did have a slightly different chinstrap allowing the QB to make sure it fit tightly. In the Jets game, Manning's chinstrap loosened when teammate Brandon Jacobs ran into him during a busted play. Then his helmet was knocked off when he was hit by Jets linebacker Calvin Pace and he slammed his head into the facemask of another defender.
Manning left the field with blood pouring down his face. The injury took 12 stitches to close, which forced him to miss last week's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"There were no issues," Manning said to reporters, according to the Associated Press. "I had a normal day of practice, no pain, no discomfort. So I am ready to go as usual."
