Hakeem Nicks Injury: Updates on Giants Star's Week 5 Status and Fantasy Value

Hakeem Nicks' availability for Week 5 doesn't look good, and unfortunately for fantasy owners, this is a matchup that he really doesn't want to miss. 

UPDATE: Sunday, October 7 at 12:03 p.m. ET by Patrick Clarke

Hakeem Nicks has been listed as inactive for Sunday's Week 5 matchup with the Cleveland Browns according to NFL.com, and will miss his third consecutive game. 

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Thursday, October 4 at 1:35 p.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

Well, it turns out that Nicks isn't practicing on Thursday (as noted in previous updates) because he won't be playing this week. Art Stapleton of The Record has the news:

"

Coughlin: Hakeem Nicks will not play Sunday #nyg

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 4, 2012"

"

#NYG hoping rest will heal what is ailing Hakeem Nicks. Swelling in knee is down, TC says. No change in Barden's status

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) October 4, 2012"

Domenik Hixon now becomes an excellent flex option in fantasy football for owners. Add him if you're in a tight spot this weekend.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Thursday, October 4 at 1:15 p.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

Another day, another missed practice for Nicks. It's not looking good for the wide receiver to play against the Cleveland Browns.

From Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News:

"

Not good news on the #NYG injury front. Not practicing today: WR Hakeem Nicks (knee), S Antrel Rolle (knee), CB Corey Webster (hand) ...

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) October 4, 2012"

Fantasy owners should prepare to be without Nicks this week. Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon are excellent options if he doesn't play.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Wednesday, October 3 at 11:11 a.m. ET by Patrick Clarke

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is "walking better" but will not practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk via Twitter:

"

Hakeem Nicks will not practice. Coughlin says Nicks looks better walking but won't speculate if Nicks will practice on Thursday

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) October 3, 2012"

---End of Update---

The dreary news of Nicks' nagging knee, which has now held him out of the past two games, comes from the New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano:

"

RT @rvacchianonydn: Coughlin said Hakeem Nicks' knee isn't any better. How concerned is he? "How much concern can I show you?" the coach ...

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) October 1, 2012"

If you haven't already tossed your computer in anger, let's take a look at what this means.  

Fantasy Value

If Nicks is playing, you're putting him in your lineup. It's as simple as that. This guy was limping around like Sheamus in Week 2 but still somehow managed to put up 199 yards and a touchdown. If he can bend his knee enough to get his pants on, he'll be on the field, and he'll be productive.

That goes extra for a potentially sweet matchup in Week 5 against a Cleveland Browns defense that will once again be without star cornerback Joe Haden, who will serve the last game of his suspension. 

Through four games, the Browns' secretly stingy run defense has caused teams to throw the ball a ridiculous 42 times per game against them (most in the NFL) for 286 passing yards per contest (fifth most). 

Eli Manning just drooled a little bit. 

Unfortunately for Nicks owners, the idea of him suiting up for this dream matchup, at the moment, appears to be a long shot.

On the other hand, that would make Domenik Hixon—and, of course, Victor "Better Runner Than Tom" Cruz—a must-start in almost all fantasy leagues.

Hixon tore up a good Philadelphia secondary in Nicks' stead on Sunday night to the tune of six catches and 114 yards. If he gets the start against Cleveland, matching those numbers should be no problem. 

Stay tuned for updates on Nicks as more becomes known, because this is a matchup you definitely want to exploit no matter who's in the lineup. 

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