Giants Lose Hakeem Nicks For At Least Three Weeks

Added on Nov 23, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

What used to be the New York Giants biggest strength has become their biggest weakness. In less than two weeks they have lost three wide receivers due to injury. First, Steve Smith suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle which has sidelined him the last two games. Then reserve Ramses Barden was placed on injured reserve with a broken ankle. Now, Hakeem Nicks will miss at least three weeks with what is reported as compartment syndrome in his lower leg. Ouch.

What the hell is compartment syndrome? It’s what happens when an injured area of the body abnormally swells and loses oxygen and blood flow. If not treated in time it can result in permanent muscle damage. Lucky for Nicks, the pressure on his leg was relieved via a surgical procedure called a fasciotomy. The severity of damage incurred in Nicks’ lower leg is yet to be determined. If another clean-out surgery is required it could end his season.

Nicks leads the team with 62 catches and nine touchdowns. In only his second year, he has become one of the league’s most dangerous big play receivers. Combined with the injury to Smith, the Giants are left with Mario Manningham and recently signed Derek Hagan as starters.

All of this comes at the worst possible time for Big Blue. Losers of two straight they can ill afford to drop many more of their remaining six games. The schedule doesn’t get any easier either: Jacksonville, Philadelphia and Green Bay are all lying in wait. Barring a quick turnaround, they could be staring at another late season collapse similar to the one that plagued them in 2009.

Source: NFL.com