Hakeem Nicks said he would be ready for Sunday’s must-win game against the Cowboys despite an abdominal strain that was revealed Thursday.
The struggling Giants wide receiver was listed as questionable Friday and when asked whether Nicks would be available, coach Tom Coughlin said “We’ll see.”
Even if Nicks plays, his physical limitations figure to make Rueben Randle — who has caught six touchdown passes in his past six games — an even bigger target.
“There’s nothing special about it,” Randle said. “It’s just going out and making plays.”
Not surprisingly, Coughlin said he has liked what he has seen from Randle of late.
“He’s responded,” Coughlin said. “He’s looked good in practice. We’ve seen him go up high and get them and we’ve seen catch them over his shoulder. We’ve seen him make a lot of plays.”
Randle attributes his recent production to simply getting more balls thrown in his direction and a greater familiarity with the game plan.
“Just understanding the offense and what I have to do,” Randle said. “It’s just going out there and playing fast.”
Randle said the touchdowns have been particularly satisfying.
“That’s what you want to do: go out there and score,” Randle said. “I knew if I had more reps and more opportunities, there was going to be a lot more plays for me to make.”
As for Nicks, all he said Friday was “I’m good.”
Coughlin said Nicks did about the same amount in practice as he did on Thursday and said the injury has had an impact.
When asked what it has prevented Nicks from doing in particular, Coughlin said, “probably being full-speed.”
Coughlin said he continues to be impressed with the work of CB Prince Amukamara.
“Last week he was physical,” Coughlin said of his work against the Packers. “He made two really outstanding tackles against a big back and, quite frankly, that’s what we saw when he was coming out of college. He was a physical corner. He certainly played like that, and he’ll be challenged again with big receivers coming in [with Dallas].”
CB Corey Webster (high ankle sprain) was ruled out for Sunday, and RB Brandon Jacobs, like Nicks, is listed as questionable. … DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), FB John Conner (hip), CB Trumaine McBride (hip) and CB Terrell Thomas (knee) were limited in practice and listed as probable. … Despite Sunday’s forecast for inclement weather, Friday’s practice was held indoors because Coughlin didn’t want to risk any players hurting themselves on slick turf in the rain.