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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle Thursday, the team announced. Manning said in a release issued by the team that he expects to be able to run again in about six weeks. He sprained his ankle in the final game of the 2013 season against the Redskins and has spent the offseason rehabbing it. The procedure was described as a debridement of the ankle and was performed by foot and ankle specialist Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C. Giants coach Tom Coughlin told ESPN Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen that Manning was having some discomfort, especially when planting his foot, so Giants trainer Ronnie Barnes traveled with Manning to see Anderson before Manning participated in a passing camp at Duke with some of his receivers. Coughlin, not wanting any "gray area" after Barnes told him that the ankle was still bothering Manning during the camp, told Manning to have the surgery. "I went through the recovery and rehab after suffering the sprain," Manning said in the release. "I was still experiencing some discomfort as I began my normal offseason preparation, and after consultation, we felt the right thing was to have Dr. Anderson clean out the ankle." Coughlin said the surgery was a regular "clean out," and the doctor said Manning's ankle is structurally sound. Rookie backup Ryan Nassib will get some reps as the Giants' offseason program begins April 21. OTA workouts begin May 28, and minicamp is June 17-19. So the six-week timetable would have Manning up and running in time for the bulk of the offseason workouts. It's important for Manning to get as much work in as he can this offseason as he and the Giants will be learning a new offense under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. "I'm looking forward to the start of the offseason program on the 21st," Manning said in the release. "I will be in the weight room and the meeting rooms so we can all learn the new offense. I got some good work in this week at Duke, and I think it's smart to get this procedure done now so the ankle isn't an ongoing issue." Manning has not missed a game since becoming the Giants' starting quarterback midway through his rookie season in 2004. His 151 consecutive starts rate as the longest active streak in the NFL following the retirement of Washington's London Fletcher, and it is the third-longest by a quarterback in league history. ESPN Senior NFL Insider Chris Mortensen contributed to this report.
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