Hakeem Nicks did not practice with the Giants on Wednesday “but he’s making good progress’,’ according to Tom Coughlin, and the receiver said, “I don’t see myself missing the game.’’
That’s the news the Giants needs to hear as they leave behind a 28-14 season-opening loss to the Redskins and prepare for a home-opening Monday night game against the Rams.
Nicks came out of the loss to the Redskins with that he said was a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee, suffered in the first quarter as he lunged for the end zone trying to score on a 68-yard catch-and-run. He was able to finish the game but the knee swelled up the next day, causing concern. An MRI exam revealed no cartilage or ligament damage.
“I was never really worried because I looked at is as I finished the game,’’ Nicks said. “It’s a situation where it’s a little bone bruise, take it day to day, I feel way better than I did yesterday so if I keep going up I don’t see myself missing no time. Once you start worrying that’s when stuff is wrong so I just keep a cool head the whole time. Everything came back good, it’s a blessing.’’
Nicks did not practice, but it was a positive sign that Nicks on Wednesday was able to do some jogging drills off on a side field in the early stages of practice, making some soft cuts. Coughlin said Nicks is day to day and the Giants are fortunate they have an extra day this week.
“If it keeps feeling the way it’s going the end of the week,’’ Nicks said of a return to practice. “Every day’s been way better, swelling has gone down every day. No pain. Just a matter of the fluid and the swelling. It keeps going like this we’re heading in the right direction. Now is not the time to be going down.’’
The Giants really cannot afford to have Nicks miss any time. With him on the field, they managed only 14 first-half points and were shut out in the second half of a loss at FedEx Field. Nicks caught seven passes for 122 yards and set up the first touchdown with a 68-yard reception.
Asked what the Giants lose without Nicks, Coughlin said “You lose a playmaker, you lose a guy who can get the ball in the end zone, you lose a guy that loves the ball coming his way, that can make the hard catch, the easy catch. Has great confidence, loves to play, wants to be out there all the time.’’
There were some promising developments regarding defensive end Justin Tuck, who did not play in the opener because of a lingering stiff neck. Tuck was able to practice on Wednesday on a limited basis as the Giants worked in shells and not full pads.
“Leadership, ability, pass rush, I mean, where do you want me to stop,’’ Coughlin said, when asked what Tuck’s presence adds. “I know you just want it to be said and you’re well aware what the answer is. You lose a heck of a football player and the captain of your defensive team.’’
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, coming off arthroscopic knee surgery, made his first appearance in the vicinity of the practice field as he rode a stationary bicycle. Umenyiora didn’t practice and probably won’t do much of anything this week but it appears he has a good chance to be back for the third game, against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Coughlin said he liked the way Dave Tollefson (one sack), Jason Pierre-Paul (two sacks) and even rookie Justin Trattou played against the Redskins. Having Tuck and then Umenyiora back, though, could make a world of difference.
“You’re talking just about reinforcements of a very, very high quality,’’ Coughlin said.
As for tight end Travis Beckum, no news was not good news. He missed the opener and did not practice because of ongoing hamstring issues and there’s virtually no chance of him playing against the Rams.
“Beckum is Beckum,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s got a hamstring. We’ve had hamstring issues with Travis before. And I’m not frustrated, again, expectations are very high and it’s very difficult to improve him when he’s not practicing.’’