Relieved Giant say receiver Nicks' knee is 'fine'

tom.rock@newsday.com

ALBANY - It took two MRIs, one doctor's examination, a trip down the New York State Thruway and one sleepless night for the Giants to learn that Hakeem Nicks will be just fine.

The news came back from the Hospital for Special Surgery Wednesday afternoon, following a visit with team physician Russell Warren and a follow-up MRI after one was taken in Albany Tuesday night.

"Hakeem Nicks hyperextended his right knee at the end of [Tuesday] afternoon's practice," the Giants said in a statement. "MRI results and Dr. Warren's exam showed nothing out of the ordinary. In other words, Nicks' knee is fine."

The wide receiver had to be carted off the field Tuesday after he fell while running a crossing pattern through the end zone on one of the final plays of practice. Nicks, last year's first-round draft pick, already was limited to one practice a day coming off offseason toe surgery.

The knee injury he suffered Tuesday will likely keep him on the sideline for a little while, but he appears to be in no danger of missing time in the regular season because of it. The Giants' statement said Nicks "could possibly return to the practice field as early as [today]."

That's great news for the Giants, who suddenly were seeing their receiver position become very thin. Domenik Hixon is already gone for the season, and Mario Manningham missed Tuesday's practices with a groin injury. Losing Nicks would have promoted Sinorice Moss to start opposite Steve Smith.

Nicks wasn't the only one with good injury news. Manningham said he expects to be back practicing Thursday (there were no scheduled practices Wednesday).

"Just a little tightness, it's cool," Manningham said of his injury. "I'm good, just a little sore, a little tight. It isn't anything big. Just my legs are tight. All of our legs are tight, but some of us do more cutting and running than others . . . I'll be OK, though."

There's a lot of that being OK going around. And for the Giants, it's a good thing.