EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning is going to have to play in pain if he wants to continue as the New York Giants quarterback.

Manning was diagnosed with inflamed tissue in his right foot late yesterday following an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. It's a problem that usually develops over time and lingers.

Team physician Russell Warren told Manning he could play this weekend against the Oakland Raiders if he could tolerate the pain.

"It's not as serious an injury as (the doctor) has seen before, where it's the whole foot that's hurting," Manning said in an interview on ESPN Radio in New York. "It's just kind of a portion of it."

The Giants (4-0) have listed Manning as day to day with the plantar fasciitis, which has caused soreness and swelling in the heel and arch area on the bottom of his foot.

Dr. Steven Weinfeld, chief of foot and ankle surgery from Mount Sinai's Department of Orthopaedics in New York City, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that the injury could be treated by taping the foot, stretching, cushioning the area and using ibuprofen or any anti-inflammatory medicine. He said cortisone injections also can help.

Manning was hurt early in the fourth quarter in a non-contact injury in New York's 27-16 win over the Chiefs in Kansas City.

49ERS

SINGLETARY WANTS CRABTREE

Coach Mike Singletary said yesterday that the San Francisco 49ers would still like to have first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree play for the team this season.

Responding to a report that Crabtree and his agent were about to renew negotiations with the team, Singletary said he would not close the door on Crabtree, even though the wide receiver from Texas Tech has yet to practice with the 49ers because of a contract impasse.

Crabtree, the No. 10 overall selection, is the only pick from this year's NFL draft to remain unsigned.

"Any guy that can play and help us win, I would never say, 'No, we don't need him,' " Singletary said. "We need all the good football players we can get."

Crabtree is seeking money comparable to higher picks. He has turned down a reported five-year, $20 million offer from the team that includes $16 million in guaranteed money.

EAGLES

QB MCNABB LIKELY TO START

Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb has returned to practice and is expected to start Sunday when the Eagles host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McNabb has been out since breaking his rib in the season opener. He missed two games before the Eagles had their bye this past weekend.

The 11-year veteran was injured scoring a rushing touchdown Sept. 6 in a win over the Carolina Panthers.

ELSEWHERE

Raiders: Coach Tom Cable said yesterday that running back Darren McFadden would have surgery today to repair torn cartilage in his knee. McFadden is expected to miss two to four weeks.

McFadden injured his knee in a 29-3 loss at Houston on Sunday.

Also, the Napa police have finished their investigation into allegations that Cable assaulted one of his assistants and forwarded the case to the district attorney's office.

Cable declined to comment on the reports at a news conference yesterday, saying he'll let the legal process play out.

Lions: Coach Jim Schwartz says quarterback Matthew Stafford is day to day with a knee injury, and he refused to say whether Stafford's right kneecap was dislocated, adding "we'll know more," tomorrow.

Stafford, the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, had the knee twisted on a sack in Sunday's 48-24 loss against the Chicago Bears.

Buccaneers: Tampa Bay cut kicker Mike Nugent a day after he missed two field goals in a 16-13 loss to the Washington Redskins.

Nugent missed kicks of 49 and 48 yards Sunday and was 2 of 6 on field goal attempts through four games.

The Bucs worked out former Indianapolis kicker Shane Andrus and signed him as Nugent's replacement yesterday.

Bears: Wide receiver Devin Hester suffered an injury to his "shoulder area" during Sunday's 48-24 win over Detroit, coach Lovie Smith said.

Smith says Hester "should be fine," but whether he'll be ready for Atlanta in two weeks remains to be seen.

Ravens: Baltimore offensive tackle Jared Gaither could play Sunday against Cincinnati, depending on the result of an MRI he received yesterday.

Coach John Harbaugh says the Ravens are "very hopeful" Gaither can play this week. Gaither was injured Sunday in Baltimore's 27-21 loss to New England.

Rams: St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger did some light throwing yesterday, testing a bruised rotator cuff, and coach Steve Spagnuolo said he'd probably be questionable for this week's game against the Minnesota Vikings.