FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 3/9/2014 3:48pm et

Doctors sent out letters clearing free-agent WR Hakeem Nicks (Giants) for the 2014 season. Nicks had a screw inserted into his foot in 2012 and surgery to repair his posterior cruciate ligament in 2013.

Huddle Up: Nicks has said he'd be open to a 1-year deal and a return to the Giants to prove himself after 2 straight sub-par seasons, and that might end up being the best option given all the questions surrounding the wideout.

Posted: 3/3/2014 1:18am et

The Carolina Panthers are not expected to pursue New York Giants impending free-agent WR Hakeem Nicks this offseason, because they likely will not be able to afford him.

Huddle Up: There has been natural speculation that the former University of North Carolina standout would be a perfect fit for the WR-needy Panthers, but the franchise simply doesn't have the under-the-cap wiggle room as it now stands.

Posted: 2/15/2014 8:47pm et

The New England Patriots could show interest in New York Giants impending free-agent WR Hakeem Nicks if he is available in free agency.

Huddle Up: There's no question the Patriots' receiving corps could use some upgrading, but Nicks would have to come at a discount for the Patriots to bite as he showed nothing last season the team couldn't expect from a second season from Aaron Dobson.

Posted: 2/13/2014 8:47pm et

New York Giants WR Victor Cruz has been lobbying for free-agent WR Hakeem Nicks to re-sign with the team.

Huddle Up: When healthy and productive, Nicks takes a lot of defensive attention away from Cruz, but Nicks has been shaky on both counts in recent seasons and that has the G-Men weighing their options.

Posted: 2/11/2014 10:29pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is unlikely to get the team's franchise tag, in the opinion of Dan Graziano of ESPN New York. Graziano speculates the only likely way Nicks returns is if there is no market for his services and he comes back at a team-friendly price.

Huddle Up: There doesn't figure to be a glut of teams falling over themselves to sign Nicks, who has battled injury issues (5 games missed in 2012) and underwhelming production (0 TD catches in 2013) the last 2 seasons.

Posted: 1/4/2014 10:41pm et

Impending free-agent WR Hakeem Nicks (Giants) is not expected to be back with the team next season. Head coach Tom Coughlin is uncertain why Hicks saw a decline last season. 'Well, it just didn't happen for him and we'll all scratch our heads over that one,' Coughlin said in a radio interview Friday, Jan. 3. 'Because when Hakeem came back he wanted it more than we will ever know. He had certain things happen this year to him. I'm not talking about injuries. I'm just talking about being in situations where the ball would be there and perhaps a couple of times he didn't go for the ball. A couple of other times he just wasn't able to get himself open on a continuous basis. It just wasn't a very productive year.'

Huddle Up: Nicks failed to capitalize on his opportunity to build a strong free agency resume; in fact, he failed to score a touchdown this season. Still, he'll draw plenty of attention on the open market as a talented receiver with size and skills.

Posted: 12/4/2013 12:11pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (abdomen) is not listed on the injury report this week.

Huddle Up: If Nicks isn't on the injury report, where will fantasy owners (and Eli Manning) know where to find him? Certainly not the end zone, where he hasn't been since Week 14 of last season. That's not much of a free agent push.

Posted: 11/30/2013 11:21am et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (abdomen) said he is feeling good and ready to face the Washington Redskins. "I feel good, man. I feel real good and I'm going to leave it at that," Nicks said.

Huddle Up: Nicks has been a disappointment this year but he has a good match-up Sunday night against the Redskins. He's a low-end WR3/flex play this week.

Posted: 11/29/2013 5:13pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (abdomen) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 29, and is probable for Week 13.

Huddle Up: Expect Nicks back after missing Week 12, but his performance struggles -- 17-178 over his last 4 games and no TDs this season -- are another matter entirely. Start him only if you're in a deep league or desperate.

Posted: 11/28/2013 4:08pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (abdomen) was limited in practice Thursday, Nov. 28.

Huddle Up: Nicks, limited for the second straight day, needs to show something during the week after he missed Week 12 due to a lack of practice progress. See if he can do more Friday.

Posted: 11/27/2013 1:54pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (abdominal) will practice in some capacity Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Huddle Up: It looks like he should be back this week, but keep an eye on him over the next couple of days.

Posted: 11/22/2013 3:00pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (abdominal) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 22, and is questionable for Week 12.

Huddle Up: Nicks, who sat out Wednesday's practice and was limited the past 2 days, has said he plans to play Sunday in the NFC East showdown against the Cowboys, but that likely translates into another 4-catch, 50-yard day -- his average over the last 5 games. Nicks also is still looking for his first scoring reception of the year. Stop chasing a breakout game and go with another healthier/more dependable option if you have one.

Posted: 11/21/2013 1:57pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) is participating in practice Thursday, Nov. 21.

Huddle Up: Nicks was back on the field after missing Wednesday's team workouts. As for the games, though, Nicks has hardly inspired any fantasy confidence as hasn't topped 70 receiving yards in his last 5 games and still is looking for his first TD catch of the season in Week 12.

Posted: 11/20/2013 10:42pm et

Updating a previous report, New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) is not believed to be dealing with a serious groin injury.

Huddle Up: Nicks is having a disappointing season but if he plays on Sunday he could have one of his better weeks going up against Dallas' last ranked pass defense. Check back Thursday to see if Nicks practices.

Posted: 11/20/2013 2:18pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (undisclosed) is not participating in practice Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Huddle Up: This was out of the blue. Hopefully it's nothing, but come back tomorrow for more news.

Posted: 10/22/2013 12:27pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (finger) had X-rays on one of his fingers after the Week 7 game.

Huddle Up: Nicks played the entire game, so the injury didn't prevent him from participating. And he's had problems with drops before so it's difficult to tell if the injury affected his performance. As of now there's no indication the injury will keep Nicks out of the lineup going forward.

Posted: 10/14/2013 2:04pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks has not heard "a whiff" from the team on trade talks to this point. Nicks believes the team will talk to him if there is a trade brewing.

Huddle Up: If he is traded, his fantasy value would depend on his landing spot. He might have an erratic quarterback right now, but the Giants are going to pass a lot this season. The best news for his fantasy owners would be if he stayed put.

Posted: 9/30/2013 1:50pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he knows there are plays to be made that he is not making, something he needs to improve on. "I know me, personally, there were some I'm supposed to come down with and nine times out of 10 I would," Nicks said. "Just fighting during the play, just got to try to fight the other arm out and come down with it," Nicks said. "I'll be the first one to tell you those plays I'm supposed to come down with."

Huddle Up: Nicks isn't helping himself of the Giants offense. This is especially curious given he is in a contract year—you'd think he was playing better. Hopefully he breaks out of this malaise.

Posted: 9/23/2013 9:19am et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks did not have any receptions in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, and he was targeted just once.

Huddle Up: It was a lost weekend for the Giants, who could do nothing right against Carolina--especially surprising given the injury-riddled Panthers secondary and New York's lack of a running game. View it as a buy-low opportunity for Nicks, as he's still a major part of Eli Manning's receiving corps.

Posted: 9/18/2013 4:21pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (finger) is still dealing with swelling in his middle finger after dislocating it in the team's Week 2 game. Nicks said he is fine and will just tape it up.

Huddle Up: It would be a bigger issue if he was having leg problems. It can't feel good to catch balls with a swollen finger, but Nicks should be ok.

Posted: 9/3/2013 5:05pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is being very cautious as he prepares to start the season. Nicks is spending more time stretching prior to practice, in hopes of staying healthy for all of 2013. Nicks also did not appear to ever go at full speed in preseason games.

Huddle Up: Of course, because any slight step in the wrong direction could mean he is out for three weeks with a knee sprain. It's good that he is trying to keep better care of his body, though. If he can actually stay healthy, he is one of the better receivers in the league.

Posted: 8/16/2013 5:52pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) will play in the team's second preseason game Sunday, Aug. 18. He sat out the first preseason game because he missed some practice time with a groin injury.

Huddle Up: It will be good to see the oft-nicked Nicks on the field. Now if he can only stay there.

Posted: 8/13/2013 6:18pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) is likely to play in the team's preseason game Sunday, Aug. 18.

Huddle Up: Nicks missed the preseason opener this past Saturday but he can get right back on track for Week 1 by playing this week and Week 3 of the preseason.

Posted: 8/10/2013 3:05pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) will not play in the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 10.

Huddle Up: Nicks just returned to practice recently, so it's not a surprise that he won't be suiting up Saturday night versus Pittsburgh. Look for Nicks to make his preseason debut on Sunday when the Giants face the Colts, assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

Posted: 8/6/2013 2:50pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) is practicing in full pads Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Huddle Up: Finally. How long this will last is anybody's guess, but Nicks wasn't doing himself any favors in a contract season by getting off on the wrong injury foot. Keep an eye on him the rest of camp. Big upside, but big risk attached.

Posted: 8/2/2013 5:21pm et

Updating a previous report, New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) is expected to return to practice Tuesday, Aug. 6, according to head coach Tom Coughlin.

Huddle Up: Nothing really new here as the oft-injured Nicks' fantasy value continues to be shaky.

Posted: 8/2/2013 12:40pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he wouldn't categorize his groin issue as an injury, and he expects to be back in a day or two.

Huddle Up: Seems like Nicks is always nicked, which is why the Giants may be hesitant to fork over a big contract. It would be nice for Nicks to get some time with Eli Manning, but not critical. Still, Nicks being dinged up doesn't help his fantasy value as we churn towards draft day.

Posted: 8/1/2013 5:47pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Aug. 1, but head coach Tom Coughlin said he believes Nicks is day-to-day. Coughlin said he is frustrated that Nicks is missing time but believes he will be back as soon as possible.

Huddle Up: The guesswork surrounding Nicks and his health sounds as if it's starting to wear on Coughlin & Co. as the wideout has missed 7 starts and many more practices over the past 3 seasons and has played at less than 100 percent in more than a few of the contests he has suited up for. The guessing game hasn't been any easier for fantasy players, either, and no one risks much -- if any -- blame by simply passing on Nicks and looking for a more-stable WR option.

Posted: 7/24/2013 12:10pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is entering a contract year, so he is expected to be cautious during training camp and the preseason.

Huddle Up: After seeing Victor Cruz get a new contract, Nicks is looking to get paid as well. He's played through injuries in the past, but if he's more concerned about protecting himself heading into free agency it's going to ding his role with the Giants this year--and, in turn, his fantasy value.

Posted: 7/8/2013 4:42pm et

The New York Giants may place the franchise tag on WR Hakeem Nicks next offseason if the two sides are not able to agree on a contract extension before free agency.

Huddle Up: The good news for Nicks is, he'll get paid. And he'll still be teamed with Eli Manning and the Giants, so there won't be anything to ruffle his fantasy value as well. With Victor Cruz under contract the Giants now have options in regards to when and how they deal with Nicks and his contract. Of course, Nicks could throw a wrench into the machinery if he's upset about Cruz getting paid before him and threatening to hold out. But for now let's focus on the positive.

Posted: 6/28/2013 12:25pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks said he will be ready for training camp. Nicks said he has been running full routes. Nicks has been working out with QB Eli Manning after minicamp. The two worked out together twice this week and plan to work out together more in the coming weeks before training camp.

Huddle Up: There are still contract issues to be worked out, obviously, but health-wise Nicks looks ready to join Victor Cruz as Eli's top two targets in the Giants' passing game.

Posted: 6/11/2013 5:25pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks, who reported and worked out Tuesday, June 11 at the team's minicamp, said that he sees no reason why he wouldn't be present for the start of the team's training camp when it opens, in July. The receiver, when asked about not telling the team that he would be skipping organized team activities, replied, "I could've done a better job with that."

Huddle Up: This seems to somewhat quell the holdout rumors for now, but we'll have to see who the first-team WRs are on the field when the Giants open camp next month.

Posted: 6/11/2013 12:13am et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks and restricted free-agent WR Victor Cruz did not show up for team physicals Monday, June 10. The Giants' mandatory minicamp begins Tuesday, June 11.

Huddle Up: Nicks was reportedly not required to show up for his physical, though the Giants certainly hope he joins the team for workouts. Cruz is still angling for a new contract, and with talks going slowly it's unlikely he will be in attendance. Feels like we've been saying it's too early to worry about the situation for quite a while now, but unless training camp rolls around and the Giants are without Nicks and/or Cruz there's really no reason to get worked up.

Posted: 6/10/2013 3:09pm et

New York Giants QB Eli Manning said he expects WR Hakeem Nicks to attend the team's upcoming minicamp. Manning said he has texted Nicks this offseason but does not know why Nicks skipped the organized team activities.

Huddle Up: Eli needs Nicks and Victor Cruz to get to work, or else he needs to start developing a rapport with some of the other wideouts on the Giants' roster. Nicks has said he didn't miss OTAs because of dissatisfaction with his contract, but we'll see if a pay raise gets him back on the field--or lack of a new deal keeps him away.

Posted: 6/8/2013 8:25pm et

The New York Giants could fine WR Hakeem Nicks as much as $66,150 if he does not attend the team's upcoming mandatory minicamp because he is under contract.

Huddle Up: Nicks is in a different situation than fellow disgruntled wideout Victor Cruz in that Nicks has a contract to honor. This is a potentially volatile situation for the Giants almost every way it plays out: if they sign Cruz, Nicks will want to get paid something similar; if they don't sign Cruz, Nicks will have to pick up the slack in the passing game. There's still a couple months for this to shake out before fantasy owners need to adjust their draft boards, but it's a situation that must be followed closely.

Posted: 6/8/2013 2:53pm et

New York Giants wide receivers coach Kevin M. Gilbride said he believes it will take WRs Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks to get up to speed once they report, but they should be able to ready fairly quickly. "I think it all takes work and timing and development of your individual skills, of your grasp of the offense and the detail. I don't think it's easy, but I think those two, Victor and Hakeem, have the ability and the mental capacity to step in and basically play catch up like we talked about and get caught up pretty quickly," Gilbride said.

Huddle Up: Cruz and Nicks are veterans, as is Eli Manning, so there shouldn't be much of a learning curve once everyone gets back on the field together. The key, of course, is paying Nicks and Cruz enough to get back on the field.

Posted: 5/23/2013 1:05pm et

Updating previous reports, New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks has been absent from OTAs because of a personal reason, not because of his contract.

Huddle Up: And maybe --just maybe -- Nicks' contract has become a personal issue. In any case, it's left Eli Manning and the Giants without their top 2 receivers for the time being and has given the New York/New Jersey media something to write and talk about with Tim Tebow no longer around.

Posted: 5/23/2013 12:11am et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks did not show up to practice Wednesday, May 22, because he is unhappy with his contract situation, a source indicated. Nicks did not violate any rules, since organized team activities (OTAs) are voluntary, but head coach Tom Coughlin was expecting him.

Huddle Up: If Nicks is unhappy now, how do you think he'll feel when Victor Cruz gets paid? Suddenly the Giants' receiver rotation is beginning to look a bit troublesome.

Posted: 4/16/2013 11:11pm et

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks (knee) said he never really felt like himself last season, as his left knee never recovered after a Week 2 injury. He has reported no problems with his knee during voluntary offseason workouts. 'It's always good to see him back healthy,' QB Eli Manning said. 'He is still striving to get to 100 percent. Obviously, having a healthy Hakeem would definitely make our team much better.'

Huddle Up: The offseason appears to be going well for Nicks, who had only 692 receiving yards and 3 TDs last season after 2 straight campaigns with at least 1,052 yards and 7 TDs.