Hakeem Nicks yesterday said he’s been told “I’m going to take some snaps’’ in tomorrow night’s preseason finale against the Patriots. He can’t wait.
“Good to know I’ll be going against some live action knowing someone’s going to be hitting me after I hit the ball, get my feet wet a little bit before this first opening game,’’ Nicks said. “That’s what I look forward to, getting some live snaps, hopefully getting a couple of routine routes down with Eli [Manning].’’
Nicks is coming back from the broken foot he suffered in the spring and he hasn’t played in any of the first three preseason games. Coach Tom Coughlin said, “As of right now, yes,’’ when asked if he will play his starting units in the final preseason game, but added, “That could change.’’
* A good sign: Left tackle Will Beatty (back) was able to practice and by the last team drill was working with the starting offense. Coughlin, not wanting to jinx anything, said, “I don’t want to speak about it. Just being quiet about it — he practiced a little bit.’’
Linebacker Michael Boley (hamstring) did some running on the side but is a long shot to be ready for the opener. “Hamstring is one of those things, they tend to linger sometimes and if you catch yourself looking at the calendar you might end up trying to rush yourself back before your hamstring’s ready,’’ Boley said. “Hopefully I’ll be back in time to get some good football in.’’
Cornerback Jayron Hosley (toe) has taken off his protective boot and did some back-pedal drills.
* Defensive end Justin Tuck was one of several players to get checked out at the Hospital for Special Surgery, as he had his shoulder examined. “It’s just a precautionary test to see exactly where he’s at, and what needs to be done, so he’s ready to go for the season,’’ Coughlin said.
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw practiced and said he won’t need any padding for his bruised right hand. … Cornerback Terrell Thomas said he can start running this week if he gets a good report tomorrow from team physician Dr. Russell Warren.
* The only veteran among yesterday’s 15-player roster pare-down was cornerback Antwaun Molden, who had his contract terminated. Tight end Travis Beckum, who tore his ACL in Super Bowl XLVI, is still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery and, like defensive tackle Chris Canty, was also placed on reserve/PUP, putting him out for at least the first six games. Rookie tackle Brandon Mosley, a fourth-round draft pick, was put on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury.
The Giants waived 11 players, including three with NFL experience: tight end Ryan Purvis, defensive tackle Carlton Powell and safety Chris Horton. Also waived: wide receivers Julian Talley and Brandon Collins, tight end Christian Hopkins, cornerback Brandon Bing, safety Jojo Nicolas, fullback Joe Martinek, offensive tackle Joel Reinders and defensive tackle Oren Wilson.