The two-time NFL most valuable player had surgery July 14 to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee but still has not appeared on the Colts' practice fields in Terre Haute, Ind. Team officials are keeping his whereabouts hush-hush.

"He's doing fine. He's here, and he's immobilized," coach Tony Dungy said after yesterday morning's practice. "We don't want a lot of people seeing him, so that's why we're not saying where he is."

Doctors are taking a cautious approach to Manning's recovery to lower the risk of infection.

Jim Sorgi, a fifth-year veteran, has replaced Manning during the team's first six non-special-teams practices and is expected to start Sunday night's preseason game against Washington.

Vikings. Former Eagles fullback Thomas Tapeh no longer has to leave home in St. Paul, Minn., to head for training camp in the East.

Minnesota signed Tapeh to a five-year, $6 million contract in the off-season to replace Tony Richardson, bringing him home to the state where he was a high school sensation.

"Every kid has a favorite team. Not every kid actually is able to play for their favorite team," Tapeh said at the Vikings camp in Mankato. "And though you might like another team because they won a lot, wherever home is, that's where the heart is."

Tapeh, who starred at the University of Minnesota, emigrated from Liberia to the United States with his mother and two sisters when he was 9, and they settled in St. Paul.

The Eagles drafted him in the fifth round in 2004, pulling Tapeh away from his close-knit family for the first time.

Giants. Veteran receiver Amani Toomer missed the New York Giants' training-camp practice at the University of Albany with swelling in his left leg.

Fellow wide receiver Steve Smith was sidelined with general soreness, leaving the receiving corps without its top three players. Plaxico Burress remains sidelined with a problem with his right ankle.

Ravens. Offensive tackle Adam Terry was carted off the field in Westminster, Md., clutching his left leg and screaming in pain after flipping over rookie running back Ray Rice.

He underwent surgery in January to repair his left ankle and appears to have aggravated that injury.

Noteworthy. Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams returned to practice after missing the first three days of training camp with a sprained right knee. Hours later, he made a spin move and reinjured the knee. . . . Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman will miss at least three weeks of camp with a groin injury. . . . Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, the New Orleans Saints' top draft pick out of Southern Cal, ended his holdout, agreeing to a five-year deal. Terms were not disclosed. . . . Tennessee signed defensive tackle Eric Taylor to replace the injured Ulrich Winkler (knee injury). . . . Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman was held out of practice in Pittsford, N.Y., after jamming his right thumb.