Minus Nicks, Giants Face Panthers
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants will be without NFC offensive player of the week Hakeem Nicks for tonight’s game against the Carolina Panthers (1-1).
Nicks, a wide receiver, has a foot injury, adding to the list of absentees when the Super Bowl-champion Giants (1-1) play their first road game of the season. New York made the announcement late Wednesday afternoon after already labeling running back Ahmad Bradshaw, offensive tackle David Diehl and another receiver, Domenik Hixon, out as well.
Nicks did not practice this week after aggravating a foot injury late in the 41-34 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game in which he had 10 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown.
There didn’t seem to be much concern over his lack of practice because he hasn’t practiced much since sitting out almost all of training
Games are subject to change camp while recovering from a broken foot suffered in May. The Giants even listed him as questionable for the game in their initial injury report Wednesday. However, Nicks did not participate in the final walkthrough, and he did not accompany the team to North Carolina, his home state.
With Nicks and Hixon out, the Giants will look to veteran Ramses Barden, second-year pro Jerrel Jernigan and rookie Rueben Randle to fill in.
Bradshaw (neck), Diehl (knee) and Hixon (concussion) were hurt in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay and did not practice this week. Andre Brown, who rushed for a career-best 71 yards Sunday, probably will start for Bradshaw, while Will Beatty and Sean Locklear will be the offensive tackles.
Diehl, who sprained his right medial collateral ligament, has only missed four games in his first nine seasons.
Rookie defensive end Adewale Ojomo, who has been bothered by a hamstring injury for weeks, also is listed as out.
As far as Nicks is concerned, it indeed is deflating for the receiver. Just one day before the news, he was excited about his anticipated return home.
“It’s really big for me,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it. I have a lot of family and friends that are going to be there.”