Hakeem Nicks will run routes on side today

Hakeem Nicks is still on the PUP list, but today he takes a big step towards returning to practice. The wide receiver who has missed all of camp and most of the offseason work because of a broken bone in his right foot will begin running routes on the side during today’s team workout.

“Yesterday I did some stuff running in circles and running on the outside of my foot, see how I feel,” Nicks said. “I’ve been doing hills, getting my endurance back up. Just doing everything I need to do to make sure I’m back in shape before I step back out there. I’m going to run some routes on the side today for the first time. So we’re going to see how that feels after I do that.”

Nicks said he is still on target to return to practice in a little over a week, which would be 12 weeks after the injury. He said he feels no pain in his foot when he runs or after, but he is wearing orthotics in his cleats now.

And if today’s routes go well, what’s the next step?

“Continue to do that and grow in that aspect and then next week we’ll see what they say,” Nicks said.

Nicks said he’s feeling “no pain,” but he’s aware of the injury and knows there will also be a mental hurdle to get over.

“If anything, it’ll be more of me just knowing and realizing it’s there,” Nicks said. “But I can get over that quick. It’s a matter of just continuing to run on it and trust in myself to run my routes.”