The last time New York Giants wideout Hakeem Nicks played football, he hauled in 10 catches for 109 yards against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Needless to say, starting training camp on the PUP list due to offseason foot surgery isn’t the second act the 24-year-old Nicks was hoping for.
“I am ready to get back at it,” a self-described "antsy" Nicks said Sunday. “I feel like I need to be out there with the guys.”
Nicks insisted he hasn’t suffered any setbacks, which means he’s still on target for a mid-August return. However, Giants training camp ends Aug. 15, so that would give Nicks limited time to get himself into football shape.
“I don’t think it is nothing to worry about, but to get back into football shape you got to play football and get those reps,” he said. “When I get back out there that first week, it might be a little breathtaking but it is nothing I can’t handle.”
Nicks has recently begun running and said there is no pain in his foot. However, he plans on “sticking to the script,” which, of course, is being written by team doctors.
The next step for Nicks will be cutting and running real routes; and from there, he’ll have to work on rebuilding his chemistry with quarterback Eli Manning -- something Nicks says won’t be a problem.
“I don’t think there is too much concern,” Nicks said. “I think we kind of got that relationship where I know what he likes and he knows me and my routes. It is just a matter of making sure I am back in game shape so I don’t come back and have other little nagging injuries come from that.”
In Nicks’ place, veteran wide receiver Domenik Hixon has taken snaps with the first team. Hixon is coming off two torn ACLs in as many seasons, but he said he’s “feeling good mentally and physically."
“I am ready to get back at it,” a self-described "antsy" Nicks said Sunday. “I feel like I need to be out there with the guys.”
Nicks insisted he hasn’t suffered any setbacks, which means he’s still on target for a mid-August return. However, Giants training camp ends Aug. 15, so that would give Nicks limited time to get himself into football shape.
“I don’t think it is nothing to worry about, but to get back into football shape you got to play football and get those reps,” he said. “When I get back out there that first week, it might be a little breathtaking but it is nothing I can’t handle.”
Nicks has recently begun running and said there is no pain in his foot. However, he plans on “sticking to the script,” which, of course, is being written by team doctors.
The next step for Nicks will be cutting and running real routes; and from there, he’ll have to work on rebuilding his chemistry with quarterback Eli Manning -- something Nicks says won’t be a problem.
“I don’t think there is too much concern,” Nicks said. “I think we kind of got that relationship where I know what he likes and he knows me and my routes. It is just a matter of making sure I am back in game shape so I don’t come back and have other little nagging injuries come from that.”
In Nicks’ place, veteran wide receiver Domenik Hixon has taken snaps with the first team. Hixon is coming off two torn ACLs in as many seasons, but he said he’s “feeling good mentally and physically."
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