Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks very much wants you to know he plans to be back by mid-August — with plenty of time to spare before the Sept. 5 opener.
Nicks, who broke his right foot during OTAs in May, was given an original timetable for return very close to Week 1. But the team’s No. 1 receiver is already back running.
“There are definitely no setbacks,” Nicks said. “Everything is going the way we planned, so we’re just sticking to the things that the doctors and trainers told us.”
That means running, but not yet taking cuts and running routes. Nicks said he would see the doctors again after practice and hopefully begin cutting in “the next couple of days.”
When he is not getting treatment he’s spending his time as a mentor for a receiving crew that is still very young after himself and Victor Cruz, who emerged as a star last season.
“The guys are ready to take on a new role this year,” Nicks said. “Whether it be a leader, or coming in to make big time catches in clutch situations. Guys are looking forward to making a step.”
One of those players is Jerrel Jernigan, a second-year player, who didn’t see much time last season. He’s already looked impressive in camp.
“Coming in, everybody knew this is going to be a competition for this third wideout spot,” Jernigan said. “So I had to come in and make a big splash. So that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
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