The Giants are betting on vastly improved offensive line play to spark quarterback Eli Manning as he enters his 16th season, but Monday’s practice offered much what fans and the veteran quarterback have experienced in recent years.

Early in Monday’s practice, rookie Ryan Connelly burst through the middle of the offensive line on a delayed inside blitz for a sack of Manning.

Later, outside linebacker Kareem Martin flew off the edge past left tackle Nate Solder, forcing Manning to spike the ball and give up on the play.

As a group, the Giants’ offensive line seemed vulnerable to the various blitz packages being thrown at them throughout Monday’s session.

However, despite pressure from all angles throughout practice, Manning made one of his finest throws of the summer.

During one of the first full-team periods, Manning stepped up in the pocket and delivered a perfectly placed back-shoulder throw into a tight window to Cody Latimer, who made the catch as he fell out of bounds, still managing to get both feet down for the completion.

Manning’s arm has shown plenty of life on the deep routes throughout the summer. If he continues to be able to get rid of the football quickly and accurately, he might be able to mitigate any growing pains the offensive line goes through early in the season as new starters Kevin Zeitler (right guard) and Mike Remmers (right tackle) find their footing.

Depth along the offensive line might have taken a hit as reserve tackle Brian Mihalik went down with an injury in the middle of practice. Mihalik was looked at by three trainers, before slowly walking off the field under his own power.

Wide receiver Sterling Shepard once again participated while wearing the yellow non-contact jersey. At one point, Manning threw a pass over the middle to Shepard that bounced off his chest.

Afterwards, head coach Pat Shurmur defended the team’s decision to have Shepard running in contact drills, less than two weeks after he fractured his thumb and with 38 days before the season opener in Dallas against the Cowboys.

“The one-handed catches [are the upside],” Shurmur said. “He’s out there running routes. I think because of what it takes to play receiver, he’s able to do those things. Anytime we’re practicing, we have to be smart. That’s the fine line.”

Buy Giants vs. Jets tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek

Injury update:

* Cornerback Grant Haley (shoulder): Haley returned after missing two practices, but wore the yellow non-contact jersey. Late in practice, Haley made an athletic play in the back of the end zone to bat an Alex Tanney pass away from wide receiver DaMari Scott.

* Wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring): Slayton donned full pads for the first time, but only participated in individual and non-contact drills.

* Cornerback Sam Beal: Beal once again worked on the side.

* Offensive tackle Chad Wheeler: For the third consecutive day, Wheeler was off to the side and not in full pads.

* Defensive end B.J. HiIl: Hill was excused from practice after his fiancé gave birth to a son.

* Safety Michael Thomas, Longsnapper Zak DeOssie: Thomas and DeOssie were excused to attend the NFLPA meeting.

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL