NFL

Giants’ Hakeem putting nicks behind him

Hakeem Nicks was returning from offseason right foot surgery and was a wide receiver presence in the Giants’ season opener. In the second game, he was more than a presence. He was dominant: 10 catches, 1 touchdown, 199 yards.

But someone stepped on his foot in that game. And he felt this ache in his left knee.

“I was thinking that the knee wasn’t a big deal. We were just more worried about the foot. And the knee was like, ‘Wow, another little setback,’ ” Nicks said yesterday during the Giants’ breakup day.

“Initially we were still worried about the foot,” explained Nicks, who said doctors still are evaluating his situation, discussing whether another offseason surgery is needed. “I thought the knee was just something minor and would go away.”

It didn’t.

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Nicks sat out three games, returned for the final 10 but never was himself, never was the guy who hauled in 79 and 76 receptions the two previous seasons. On your list of “What screwed up the Giants,” not having Nicks healthy is one high entry.

“Hakeem had a great toughness and wanted to be out there but since Week 3, not having him able to practice and being at full speed and work on things, (was) tough,” said Eli Manning. “He’ll tell you he wanted to be out there and he was hurt, playing hurt. He wasn’t quite the same playmaker that we’ve become used to … It obviously can affect an offense when one of your No. 1 receivers is not playing to the level we know he can because of injury.”

Not that Nicks didn’t try. He said he re-invented his running style because of the right foot, left knee thing. He admitted he never was himself. The season culminated with him not having a single reception — for the first time in his career — two weeks ago and then getting in for just one play Sunday in the wrap-up against Philadelphia.

“Dealing with injuries in the past, I always had a knack for coming back fast. I felt like I tried. It got better … but I never quite got back to myself,” said Nicks, who admitted the knee was the more troubling ailment. “I don’t have any regrets. It happened. I played through it.”

Or tried. Nicks believed “I didn’t make it worse” but found himself “just gutting it out” rather than sitting and being “miserable.”

Coach Tom Coughlin said he appreciated what Nicks did for the team.

“In the first place, you love Hakeem,’’ Coughlin said. “He is an incredible competitor. When you do have an injury, you’ve got to play through it. Well, he’s a tremendous example of a guy that wants to play through it.’’

There will be an initial rest period for the four-season veteran, who stressed confidence in “a full recovery, full turnaround” and that he’ll return “stronger than before.” Plus, his contract is up after next season. Another incentive to return strong and healthy, but not the main reason.

“I don’t worry about that stuff. I’m just going to play ball,’’ Nicks said. The business side will take care of itself,” Nicks said. “Obviously, I’m aware of it … but that’s not my main focus. My focus is on getting healthy, getting better and coming back strong.”