(CATCHING A BREAK:
Hakeem Nicks (above) and Steve Smith both could be back on the field for the Giants tomorrow in Minnesota after missing a combined six games to injury. )
How eager is Steve Smith to get back on the playing field for the Giants?
“Just ready, man,” the wide receiver said yesterday. “Just ready to do it.”
Smith, who hasn’t been able to do much of anything for more than a month, has missed four games with a partially torn pectoral. His fellow starting receiver, Hakeem Nicks, has been out two games with compartment syndrome in his lower right leg.
Those injuries meant that over the last few games, the Giants’ wideout corps has been whittled down to Mario Manningham, Derek Hagan, Michael Clayton and Duke Calhoun. Not exactly the most dynamic group.
Though Smith and Nicks are both listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game at Minnesota, Smith said he intends to play, and Nicks insisted he feels ready to return. Barring something unforeseen when Nicks sees the team trainers today, he will be good too.
“I think I’m good, but it’s their decision at the end of the day,” Nicks said. “Everything’s pretty good. Originally, the doctors had me at three weeks so I think they’re deciding to cut the three weeks short. I’m just waiting on the decision now.”
Both Smith and Nicks practiced all three days this week, though they were limited each time. Smith tested himself in every way possible, and he admitted he was surprised how well he responded physically.
“Everything responded better than I thought,” he said.
Coach Tom Coughlin wouldn’t commit to Smith and Nicks playing, but said from what he saw in practice, things are progressing well. As an example, Smith fell yesterday while trying to catch a pass, and Coughlin was curious how Smith would come through it. The verdict?
“[He] jumped right up, so everybody kept going,” the coach said.
Coughlin also said Nicks has been doing well.
“It will be just a question of how he is going forward and if he needs to have more attention, we’ll give it to him,” Coughlin said.
With Nicks and Smith back in the fold, the Giants’ receiving corps has its two best weapons, and with Manningham as the third receiver, the trio ranks among the NFL’s best. Eli Manning should have his full arsenal to target against a tough Vikings defense, and during the crucial stretch run to the playoffs.
Nicks might have missed two games in a row, but the Giants’ leader in catches (62), yards (800) and touchdowns (nine) doesn’t expect to be rusty or out of synch.
“I feel like I’m going to pick up right where I left off,” he said.
Coughlin said, though, that when it comes to starters returning, the rust could be an issue.
“Now that they’ve been out for a while, are they going to be able to come back and how soon is it that they’ll really fit in to everything that they want to do and to what extent are they not where they were when they left?” he said. “Those are the questions that we’ve got to deal with.”
One thing that Smith also will have to deal with is a protective harness that prevents him from crossing his arm over — and thus potentially reinjuring his pectoral.
“It keeps you from stretching back too much or stretching for the ball too high,” Smith said. “Hopefully Eli will keep it within my arm radius.”