Eli Manning quietly is headed back to the bench.
Daniel Jones practiced in full and took “most” of the Giants’ first-team reps Wednesday, which is a sign that, barring a setback worse than soreness, he will start Sunday against the Redskins. The rookie quarterback missed the past two games — allowing a suitable send-off for Manning — with a high ankle sprain.
“He got better last week, and then he was able to do much more today,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “He looked fine. We just need to see how his ankle responds to the added work he did, and then we’ll take it from there.”
Jones has been itching to return while swallowing the Giants’ decision to prioritize his long-term health in a lost season. He played the second half Dec. 1 against the Packers on the injured ankle.
“It feels like I can do everything I need to do,” Jones said. “Whether that’s in the pocket or getting out of the pocket, I’m able to do all those things.”
The idea of sitting Jones the final two weeks doesn’t fit for Shurmur, who is trying to prove he deserves a third season in charge and made it clear when he benched Manning in Week 3 that he is more confident in Jones. Manning’s emotional curtain call and win to even his regular-season record at 117-117 is a script not to be duplicated.
“[This is] strictly based on health,” Shurmur said. “That’s been the case all along. Let’s not overthink it.”
Jones ditched his walking boot last week, ran at full speed after practice and looked normal pushing off his ankle during Sunday warm-ups. He still was inactive for the second straight game.
After beating the Redskins in Week 4 to win his first two starts, Jones has lost eight straight. He had two brilliant games of 300-plus yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, but he also has committed 21 turnovers.
“The most important thing in these last two weeks is to win the games,” Jones said. “My role in that, ball security plays a big part.”
Does Jones feel extra pressure to help save the jobs of Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman, who bucked popular opinion by drafting him No. 6 overall?
“We all want to win,” Jones said. “Coaches and management have supported us and believed in us. We’re certainly going to do everything we can to win.”
Sterling Shepard and his wife, model Chanel Iman, welcomed their second daughter, Cassie Snow Shepard, just after midnight Tuesday morning.
Shepard, who didn’t miss a practice because of the scheduled off day, eagerly accepted congratulations in the locker room and told The Post that mother and daughter are healthy and already home.
“I went through all the [parenting] classes I had to,” Shepard said. “This was my excuse to get out of the hospital. It’ll be good to be home.”
In addition to Jones, Rhett Ellison (concussion) and Oshane Ximines (ankle) returned to full practice. Kevin Zeitler (ankle) was a limited participant, and Anthone Bethea (personal reasons) was not in the building.
Ellison missed the past five games with a concussion, but his return comes one day after fellow tight end Evan Engram went on injured reserve, requiring season-ending foot surgery.
The Giants and Dolphins were the only teams without a Pro Bowler when rosters were announced.
“We just need to get better as a team,” Shurmur said when asked if felt his team was snubbed. “When you’re winning more games, then more of those Pro Bowl accolades come your way.”