Rams vs Giants Monday Night Football: Will Hakeem Nicks Play?

While New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was limited in practice through the weekend and is still listed as questionable for tonight's game against the St. Louis Rams, it is looking more and more likely that he will be on the field with his team.

On Friday, Nicks told the New York Daily News that he'd be "out there Monday," and head coach Tom Coughlin seems to agree, as long as the team doctors clear him. It seems to be a better bet that Nicks will play tonight than that he won't.

Nicks suffered a bruised and hyperextended left knee in the team's season opening loss against the Washington Redskins and didn't participate in practice until last Friday.

While he appears to be ready to play tonight, look for Nicks to be more limited due to his recovery. Fellow receiver Mario Manningham should be on the field for more snaps than Nicks tonight, and the recently-signed Brandon Stokley will likely join in for a fair share of his own.

The signing of Stokley was in part an insurance policy should Nicks remain injured, or should either Nicks or Manningham go down later in the season.

Their other options at receiver, before signing Stokley, were kick returner Dominik Hixon (too inconsistent to be a starting WR), second-year backup Victor Cruz and rookie Jerrel Jernigan (both too inexperienced to take over). It was necessary for the Giants to not only improve their depth but also to add a veteran to their receiver corps.

Nicks is without question quarterback Eli Manning's favorite target and is the most explosive playmaker on a Giants team desperately needs big plays to get them out of their competitive rut and 0-1 record.

It's a very good sign for the team that he's apparently ready to get back on the field and make a contribution against the formidable Rams this week.