LANDOVER, Md. — After missing his first game of the season in last week’s ultra-important loss to the Cowboys, Hakeem Nicks made it back onto the field Sunday for the Giants’ far less meaningful 24-17 victory over the Redskins at FedEx Field. Nicks didn’t practice much leading up to the Cowboys game because of a strained abdominal muscle and thus coach Tom Coughlin decided to keep him on the sideline.
Nicks didn’t exactly light anything up in his return. He was targeted only twice by Eli Manning and made the catch both times. His first catch was a tough one, wrestling the ball out of the grasp of Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall for a 15-yard completion in the second quarter. On the first series of the third quarter, Nicks flashed his old form, crossing over the middle for a 19-yard catch and run. That was it for Nicks, who did not get near the end zone as he continues to search for his first touchdown of 2013.
“I felt real good,’’ Nicks said. “I just tried to take advantage of every opportunity I could.”
Safety Will Hill said the Giants were “frantic’’ on defense on the first series dealing with the Redskins’ no-huddle attack. “We had to calm down,’’ Hill said. … Justin Tuck had a throwback performance, as his four sacks matched his entire 2012 output. Tuck had 2.5 sacks coming into the game. … Manning’s third-quarter interception was his 18th of the season and the Giants’ 31st turnover, amounting to 103 points allowed. … RB Peyton Hillis, after being inactive for the past two games as his role was filled by Brandon Jacobs, was in uniform and was effective (six carries, 45 yards). … The Redskins scored a touchdown on their opening drive, the first time they’ve accomplished that since Dec. 9, 2012, against the Ravens.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan lost a replay challenge with 4:26 remaining contesting the spot on a 2-yard pass to Brandon Myers for a first down. It was an unwise challenge by Shanahan and it cost the Redskins a timeout. … DT Markus Kuhn made his first appearance of the season, serving as the lead blocker on kickoff return on his first play. … CB Jayron Hosley started in place of injured Trumaine McBride. It was Hosley’s first start of the season after starting six times as a rookie last year.
The Redskins expected rookie TE Jordan Reed to play, but he was a pregame scratch after he experienced a headache. Reed, coming off a concussion last week, is second on the team with 45 receptions for 499 yards and three TDs.
In addition to Jacobs (knee) and McBride (hamstring), the Giants played without DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) and CB Corey Webster (ankle). Other inactives: QB Ryan Nassib, OL Stephen Goodin, TE Adrien Robinson.