New York Giants fans were surprised when Hakeem Nicks was ruled out for the big game against the Dallas Cowboys. The wide receiver had been listed as probable with a groin/abdominal injury, but had stressed all week that he would be fine and expected to play on Sunday. However, head coach Tom Coughlin held him out of the crucial divisional game and Nicks did not appear to agree with the decision.
Nicks was limited in practice both Thursday and Friday after it was determined that he did not have a sports hernia. He remained very confident throughout the week that he would be on the field, but the receiver was ruled in active on game day. Coughlin said in the press conference that Nicks did not play due to not practicing all week, which according to beat reporters for the Giants, was an inaccurate statement. The wide receiver opted to decline commenting on the situation.
"I don't really have nothing to say to ya'll right now," Nicks said, via the New York Post.
Apparently the absence of Nicks was a surprise to everyone. During warmups, Victor Cruz told reporters that he was shocked when he did not see Nicks' equipment in the locker room considering he did practice all week. The wide receiver is in a contract season and the benching could seal his fate with the Giants. With injury history not working in his favor, being ruled inactive for one of the bigger games of the Giants' season is a clear sign the team is preparing to move on without him.
"I don't know, I can't speak for everyone," Cruz said. "But I don't know, all week things happen throughout our team, coaches make decisions, I have no part in that. Obviously when I come in and I don't see (his stuff) I'm going to be surprised. I'm not in the loop of what other players and coaches go through."
Without Nicks, Rueben Randle was expected to step in a fill the shoes of one of the most enticing receivers expected to hit the free agent market. Randle has six touchdowns in the past six games making him very capable of stepping up. He finished the day leading receivers with 64 yards off three catches. The Giants offense did not look any worse or better with Nicks out.
