If Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks can duplicate his previous effort against Dallas on Sunday - the one in which he exploded for a season-high 163 yards on eight receptions in the Dec. 11 Giants win - Big Blue could catch a playoff berth.
Of course, the Nicks who appeared on the field in Big D earlier this month wasn’t nursing a sore hamstring like the one Nicks is dealing with right now. The injury caused him to miss two practices this week, but Nicks was back on the field Friday, practicing his cuts, testing his speed, taking passes from Eli Manning in light drills.
Nicks said afterward he wasn’t limited in any way.
Best of all, he said, “there wasn’t no setback.”
Thursday, Nicks had said there was “no doubt” he would be playing Sunday night. Twenty-four hours later, he backed up that claim by acknowledging he was “confident” he can be the playmaker Big Blue needs to ring up points against DeMarcus Ware and Co., along with his Giants receiving corps.
“I pushed it to where I will at least have an idea where I will be on certain routes and certain plays,” Nicks said of his practice. “I’m confident. I’m confident that I’ll be able to get the job done. If I’m out there, I’m going to be full-go.”
Mario Manningham, who has battled a knee injury, also practiced Friday.
Tom Coughlin, never one to be long-winded with reporters, said Nicks “did all right” and “moved around well.”
Asked if he would have to develop a different game plan due to Nicks’ injury, the coach frowned.
“I don’t want to game plan around any of that stuff,” Coughlin barked. “I want to let ’em play. Go play the game. I’m confident (Nicks is) going to give it all he’s got, I’ll tell you that. He wants to play in the worst way.”
One thing that Nicks wasn’t complaining about was the decision to move Sunday’s game to an 8:20 start. More time to rest and let his hamstring heal. More time to get his legs warmed up and loose, and to get additional treatment during the day, if necessary.
“Treatment, rest, and when Sunday gets here, let’s go,” said Nicks. “(Friday) was the test to see where I’m really at. No setbacks. I feel like it’s getting better each day. We’ve still got a day and a half. With me still treating it, I think that will be fine. Right now, I feel like I’ll be able to go out and do what I can do.
“We know what’s at stake,” continued Nicks. “Our running backs are going to contribute. Eli’s going to do his part. I know the defense is going to come to play as well. We’re equipped to do whatever it is we need to do to win the game.”
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