Hakeem Nicks Injury: Loss of Star WR Would Cripple New York Giants

After catching seven passes for 122 yards in the New York Giants' 28-14 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday, star receiver Hakeem Nicks experienced some swelling in his knee on Monday.

Nicks, the Giants' No. 1 receiver, underwent an MRI after X-rays on his wrist and knee came up negative. A source told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk that he was "all good." However, there hasn't been any official word on the injury from the Giants.

The Giants know all about knee injuries. Cornerbacks Terrell Thomas and Brian Witherspoon, as well as linebackers Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim, all suffered torn ACL injuries that effectively ended their seasons.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora is also recovering from a minor knee surgery he had in the offseason.

But the loss of Nicks would effectively keep the Giants out of the playoffs.

Nicks, who had over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns last season, is quarterback Eli Manning's primary target in New York. And after losing star tight end Kevin Boss in the offseason, Manning needs all the help he can get.

Despite Nicks' performance on Sunday, the Giants still lost to a team they should have beat handily. The offensive line was particularly troubling, allowing Manning to get sacked four times.

On top of that, star running back Ahmad Bradshaw was only able to manage 44 yards on 13 carries.

After seeing Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles overtake them in the NFC East last season, the Giants are in danger of once again missing out on the playoffs.

On Sunday, Nicks was the only Giants player on the offensive side of the ball that had any kind of day. His loss would mean the Giants would have to go with Mario Manningham and most likely Domenik Hixon, who is currently battling undrafted rookie Jake Ballard for playing time.

Nicks is the difference-maker for the Giants in the receiving corps and the Giants have already sustained major losses this season.

His loss would bounce the Giants right out of the playoffs.