Hakeem Nicks Injury: Giants Wide Receiver Couldn't Mask Knee Injury in Big Win

Hakeem Nicks might have been on the field for Monday night's game against the Rams, but his knee injury made him a non-factor. 15 measly yards on three catches made it clear that Nicks wasn't 100 percent, and a touchdown catch didn't do anything to mask his injury.

Nicks was able to contribute, as he drew attention from Steve Spagnuolo throughout the game, but it was evident that his knee was still an issue.

The Giants were able to obtain a win, despite their star receiver being nearly eliminated from the game, but the team won't produce if their No. 1 receiver is bogged down by a knee injury.

Even his touchdown last night was a three-yard catch. Nicks has the ability to break through the 100-yard barrier on any given night. Eli Manning puts up big numbers and Nicks is far and away his most dangerous target.

Next week, they take on Philadelphia on the road. That's a tough enough matchup as is, but going into the game with an unhealthy Nicks will decimate their passing game.

Clearly, the Giants are going to attack the Eagles on the ground, where they are most vulnerable. However, if Nicks doesn't bring his "A" game, there is no way he is going to be able to get the better of Nnamdi Asomugha.

Nicks said he felt fine after the game, but his numbers suggest otherwise. The Eagles have the means to completely eliminate the No. 1 wide receiver. With Mario Manningham battered last night as well, Nicks could find himself going up against Nnamdi Asomugha with a bruised knee.

We'll see Nicks get progressively better as the season goes on, but it's clear the injury is seriously affecting him. The Rams don't have the personnel to shut down a receiver of Nicks' caliber, so the fact that he did close to nothing last night raises a red flag.

A game-time decision put him in the game, but Nicks clearly wasn't in top form. Another week should do wonders for his knee, given the nature of his injury, but we can't expect to see the best product possible next week.

Nicks was able to tough it out this week—and nothing suggests that he will be out next week—but we aren't going to see the Nicks we saw during Week 1 this week.