Nicks' status is up in the air (like, on the plane, which is good)
Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants celebrates after making a 37-yard touchdown catch with time running out in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers. (Jan. 15, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
San Francisco – It was wheels up for Hakeem Nicks on Saturday, with the hopes of a touch down (or more) on Sunday.
The Giants wide receiver was among the Giants who flew to San Francisco for the 49ers game, the best indication yet that he will be ready to play after missing the last three games. Twice he had been ready to travel but had been downgraded to out just before the team departed the day before its games against the Panthers and the Eagles, but this time he was on board both literally and figuratively.
Nicks is still listed as questionable, making him a gametime decision, but after practicing twice and running three times this week without any setbacks, playing on Sunday seems highly likely. The Giants were so excited about his joining them that they Tweeted a picture of him boarding the plane on Saturday afternoon.
The only three Giants who did not make the cross-country trip were those who had already been ruled out: DT Rocky Bernard (quad), RB Andre Brown (concussion) and S Kenny Phillips (knee). That means CB Corey Webster, who did not practice all week, will likely play. It also means that T David Diehl (knee) traveled for the first time since his injury and could be in uniform for the first time since Week 2. Where he would play with starters Will Beatty and Sean Locklear bookending a line that just ran for 243 yards and has allowed only four sacks of Eli Manning in five games remains to be seen.
