Hakeem Nicks took it easy this offseason with the intention of making it hard on the Cowboys in the season-opener. He paced himself. Now that the regular season is almost here, Nicks believes he did the right thing.
“I definitely benefited from it,’’ Nicks said yesterday. “At the same time, it helped me get to this point as well. My body feels extremely good. It’s the best it’s felt in a long time. I just have to make sure I keep going uphill.
“I definitely feel like I’m as good as I can be at this point. It’s game time now. We’re opening the season up now. Everything counts. Every play counts. It’s time to get it.’’
This wasn’t nearly the case a year ago, when Nicks was coming off surgery to repair a broken right foot. In the second game of the season, he hurt his left knee and the rest of the way he labored.
This season, Nicks said, “I definitely feel like I’m going to hit it running. Full speed. Everything full speed [for] Week 1. It’s time to go.’’
WR Victor Cruz (bruised heel) was listed as limited in practice.
“Something catastrophic has to happen for me not to play,” Cruz said of facing the Cowboys.
Cruz has not received medical clearance to play Sunday but expects to visit with the doctor in the next day or so. He admitted, “I’d like to hear the clearance,” mainly for his own assurance. “I’d like for them to touch and feel the foot, ask me how I’m feeling and then them giving me the thumbs up,” he said.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul (back), FB Henry Hynoski (knee) and DE Damontre Moore (shoulder) also practiced on a limited basis. C David Baas (knee), OL David Diehl (thumb) and TE Adrien Robinson (foot) did not practice. CB
Jayron Hosley (ankle) went full.
The Giants yesterday did what they decided to do a day earlier, officially putting RB Andre Brown (broken left leg) on the injured reserve/designated to return list, meaning Brown will not be eligible to play until Week 10, when the Giants play Nov. 10 vs. the Raiders. Brown must miss the first eight games. He can begin practicing after the sixth game of the season.
To take Brown’s spot on the roster, the Giants signed defensive end Adewele Ojomo to their 53-man roster from their practice squad. Ojomo’s practice squad spot was filled by offensive lineman Sam Baker.
On the first official depth chart, Dan Connor is listed as starting middle linebacker flanked by Keith Rivers and Spencer Paysinger. Da’Rel Scott is No.2 running back behind starter David Wilson. Rookie Michael Cox is kick returner and Rueben Randle punt returner.