Warner Gets Nod With the Giants

Eli Manning remains the New York Giants’ quarterback of the future. For now, the job belongs to Kurt Warner.

Citing Warner’s experience and recent play, Coach Tom Coughlin announced Sunday that the two-time most valuable player had beaten out the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft for the starting job in the season opener Sept. 12 at Philadelphia.

The Giants signed the 33-year-old Warner in June after he was released by the St. Louis Rams.

“We give Kurt the ball and say, ‘Kurt, let’s go win,’ ” Coughlin said, ending a competition that has dominated training camp.

The choice wasn’t surprising after the Giants’ 17-10 exhibition loss to the New York Jets on Friday. Manning had his worst game since signing a $45-million contract in late July.

Warner completed nine of 11 passes for 104 yards, leading the Giants to their only touchdown against the Jets.

Manning completed four of 14 passes for 20 yards, with two interceptions and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

“I wasn’t upset by it,” Manning said. “I figured it might come. It doesn’t change anything. I still have a lot to learn.”

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Kansas City receiver Marc Boerigter will undergo knee surgery today and might be out for the year.

The 6-foot-3 Boerigter twisted his right knee in a noncontact play early in the Chiefs’ 21-19 exhibition loss Saturday night to Cleveland. Coach Dick Vermeil said Sunday that doctors believe Boerigter might have suffered ligament damage.

Johnnie Morton, slated to start alongside Eddie Kennison at receiver, has sat out virtually the entire training camp because of a sore Achilles’ tendon. Kennison, also slowed by injury, made his first start of the exhibition season against the Browns.

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The Seattle Seahawks put No. 3 quarterback Brock Huard on injured reserve. Huard hasn’t practiced since having muscle spasms in his back Aug. 5.

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Denver Bronco defensive end Luther Elliss is expected to sit out two weeks because of a torn chest muscle. Elliss was injured Friday in an exhibition game against Houston.