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Since breaking his foot during OTAs in the spring, New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has targeted a mid-August return to practice and has promised to be ready for the Giants' season-opener Sept. 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. Nicks made good on the first part of that promise Monday, practicing with his team for the first time this preseason.
"Big day. Going out there and practice. I’m excited," Nicks said. "You know I did a little bit of stuff last week individually, but that’s all they would let me do. Today, I get to do some reps with the team."
Nicks teamed with Victor Cruz last season to give the Giants one of the best receiving tandems in the NFL. Nicks caught 76 passes for 1,192 yards, while Cruz caught 82 for a team-record 1,536 yards.
Nicks was uncertain if he will be allowed to play in either of the Giants' two final preseason games.
"It’s important to get your feet wet before you go out there and play a whole game on it, but at the same time you understand where they’re coming from, so whatever they decide, wouldn’t hurt anything," Nicks said. "I want to go out there and get a few reps, a couple series. That’s on our team doctors, our trainers, and Coach Coughlin to decide."