Rookie receiver Hakeem Nicks didn’t make it through his NFL debut.
He had to be carted off the sideline with a sprained left foot after he was tackled following a seven-yard reception early in the fourth quarter of yesterday’s 23-17 victory over the Redskins. Nicks had to be helped onto the cart and it looks as if he won’t return to the field any time soon.
Nicks said the problem is on the bottom of his foot and he left the stadium on crutches. He did not think it is a serious injury.
“I can’t say it’s too frustrating,” Nicks said. “It’s just a test I’m going through right now with these little knick-knack injuries.”
It took just five seconds for the Giants to experience their first significant injury of the season. Running back Danny Ware took the opening kickoff back 17 yards and suffered a dislocated elbow. That left the Giants with only two running backs for the entire game. The likely move will be to sign RB Allen Patrick off the practice squad.
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The Giants offensive line had trouble in short yardage situations but was able to neutralize massive DT Albert Haynesworth, who had four tackles.
“I think a lot of credit has to go to Richie Seubert, he did a great job,” center Shaun O’Hara said. “I was teasing him after the game he should ask for a raise.”
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Strange sequence early in the second quarter. On a Clinton Portis run for no gain, Redskins WR Santana Moss went nuts head-slapping CB Corey Webster. Moss continued slapping away long after the play was over, Webster retaliated and Moss’ helmet flew off his head. Both were hit with penalties. . . . Things were frisky all game with safety LaRon Landry, who in last season’s opener was run over by Brandon Jacobs. “They had one salty guy there that just couldn’t let go of what happened to him,” Jacobs said. “Who’s still talking about last year? Who cares about that?”
DE Justin Tuck had 1½ sacks. . . . As expected, CB Kevin Dockery was not able to make it back from a hamstring injury and was inactive.