The Giants expect to have a key part of their offense back at practice on Tuesday.
Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has been sidelined by a groin injury, an absence that has frustrated coach Tom Coughlin after watching Nicks struggle through injuries that sapped him of some of his productivity last season. Nicks, who also skipped the team’s voluntary workouts in the spring, said Monday that he plans on returning to practice on Tuesday and hopes to play in Saturday’s preseason opener, but the impending free agent also explained why he’s prioritizing staying healthy.
“It’s important,” Nicks said, via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com. “My career counts on it, this season counts on it. The offense, just being what I am to the team, I think it is going to make a big difference.”
Staying healthy for all 16 games for the first time in his career would go a long way toward landing Nicks the kind of long-term contract he wants from the Giants or another team, but wanting to be as healthy as possible for the regular season isn’t just something that benefits him. The Giants missed Nicks’ big play ability on the outside last season and its return would be a major boon to their playoff chances this time around.
A healthy Nicks would be a win-win, now the Giants and the receiver just need to work together to make sure they have one.