NFL

Smith, Nicks, Diehl will play for Giants against Vikings

Hakeem Nicks (REUTERS)

Steve Smith said he’s playing. Hakeem Nicks said he’s playing. David Diehl said he’s playing.

It looks as if the Giants’ offense is going to get three starters back for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

“Like some Christmas presents,” exclaimed Eli Manning.

It would be quite a haul for Manning if he gets back his two starting receivers and left tackle, players who haven’t been on the field together in more than a month.

The Giants (8-4) have gotten by, scaling back their passing attack as they replaced a two-game skid with consecutive victories over the Jaguars and Redskins. And now, inside the climate-controlled Mall of America Field in Minneapolis, Manning could have all his toys to play with.

Of the three, there’s no question Diehl will return after missing four games with a partially torn hamstring. Nicks’ return is the most surprising, given that when he came down with a lower left leg injury — compartment syndrome — in the Nov. 21 loss to the Eagles, the initial timetable was that he would be out three weeks. He has missed the last two games and is looking to shave one week off the expected recovery time.

To alleviate the problem, Nicks needed to undergo a surgical procedure called a fasciotomy, where his lower left leg was sliced open to relieve tension or pressure. He starting running gassers on Monday, did about 20 minutes on the treadmill on Tuesday and participated in more than half of yesterday’s practice.

“Actually I did more than I expected, more than we all expected,” an upbeat Nicks said. “It felt good. “My mentality is if I’m practicing, I’m playing. Go hard out there in practice, hopefully they’ll let me play. I’m pretty sure they will.”

If necessary, Nicks said he will play even if his stitches running down the outside of his left leg haven’t been removed.

“I just wrap it up,” Nicks said. “I don’t feel it at all, don’t even notice it at all.”

Smith said he participated in the entire practice, though the Giants are listing him as limited. No matter. Smith, out the past four games with a partially torn pectoral muscle, said he felt “good” after practice.

He was asked, is that “good” with an exclamation point?

“With an exclamation point,” Smith said. “Or two exclamation points.”

Smith knows he will have to endure some pain and there are some motions with his arms that he cannot do. But he wants in this weekend.

“I’m thinking I’m playing, the doctors, I don’t know what they’re going to say but going off me, I feel like I’m going to play,” Smith said. “I think Coach [Tom Coughlin] wants to get me out there.”

As for finally getting back onto the practice field, Smith said “It was like the best day of my life, football-wise, because you just realize how much you miss playing and practicing, little stuff.”

Diehl, who before this injury never had missed a game in his eight-year career, didn’t miss a single snap yesterday and will start at left tackle and go against pass-rusher Jared Allen.

“I did every individual rep, every team rep, felt great so I’m playing, I’m ready to go,” Diehl said. “I’m playing, no question, no nothing, I’m ready.”

The passing game has been fairly rudimentary without Smith and Nicks, with few downfield throws and often only two receivers sent out in routes. That should change.

“We can do a little bit more with our pass game,” Manning said. “Guys will be back at their natural positions; that helps out a lot when you go into your multiple receivers.”

Mario Manningham, the last man standing the past few weeks, couldn’t contain his excitement at having his mates back on board.

“Just can’t wait to get ’em out there,” Manningham said. “It’s a difference. They can’t double all of us when we’re out there. I always feel when all three of us are out there we’re the best receiving corps in the game right now, I’m not just saying that, that’s proven, we do a lot of good things when we’re out there.”

paul.schwartz@nypost.com