Tuck, Nicks practice Friday, should play
New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks catches a pass during the NFL football team's training camp in East Rutherford, N.J. (July 31, 2011) Credit: AP
Justin Tuck sat in front of his locker after Friday's practice, coyly flipping through the pages of the Week 2 Game Day program.
"What do you think?" the defensive end asked a reporter as he flashed the cover of the magazine.
The cover featured Tuck on the football field in his uniform, which is exactly what Giants fans are hoping to see this Monday night when the Giants host the St. Louis Rams.
Yes, it appears that the injury-riddled Giants are finally starting to get healthy. Both Tuck and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks practiced with the team Friday. Even more encouraging, defensive end Osi Umenyiora was on the sideline during practice, working on some pass rush moves.
Though Umenyiora, who is recovering from knee surgery, isn't expected back until the end of the month, it appears likely that Tuck and Nicks will play Monday night. Officially, the team will not decide their status until Monday morning, but Nicks said he is planning to play, and Tuck hinted, by flashing the magazine, that that is also his plan.
"I'm going to be on that field," Nicks said. "I'm pretty comfortable that that's what the doctors are going to be telling me."
Nicks suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended his right knee in the first quarter of the Giants' season-opening loss to the Redskins last weekend. If Nicks doesn't play, it would be a tough blow for the Giants' already struggling offense. Last season, Nicks caught 79 passes for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. And despite his injury on Sunday, he managed to catch seven passes for 122 yards.
Tuck's return would be a big boon for the Giants' defense. The veteran defensive end did not play in the opener because of a lingering stiff neck stemming from an injury he suffered in the Aug. 29 preseason game against the Jets.
Tuck said Friday that he was "encouraged" by practice but declined to elaborate.
Notes & quotes: New wide receiver Brandon Stokley is in hurry-up mode, learning as much Giants offense as he can to get on the field against the Rams. "I'm not the brightest guy and I will be the first to admit that, but football-wise, I would say that I am pretty intelligent," Stokley said. "I think I pick up on things pretty quick. Football is football and routes are routes.'' . . . The NFL fined safety Antrel Rolle $20,000 for spearing and safety Kenny Phillips $10,000 for striking an opponent in the head and neck area. Only Rolle was flagged for a penalty in the game.
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