Hakeem Nicks Injury: Updates on Giants Star's Week 4 Status and Fantasy Value

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks was thought to be healthy after he lined up last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it appears that the knee injury may have flared-up on him.

Nicks practiced in full on Wednesday, but he is out of Thursday's practice and has been seen riding the bike.

A lingering knee injury is a bad sign for Nicks' fantasy owners, who will likely have to deal with the star WR only being at 80 percent for much of the season. 

Update: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10:08 p.m. EDT

Fantasy owners need not worry about Hakeem Nicks anymore. He caught 10 balls for 162 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 31-27 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, including the go-ahead score with 2:39 remaining in the game. 

Nicks appears bound to be one of the top receivers in football again this season and is a clear No. 1 receiver in fantasy.

-Ryan Rudnansky

Update: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 5:45 p.m. EDT

Nicks had 5 catches for 62 yards in the first half of the game. He is playing at a high level and made some great catches.

I don't think his injury is a problem any longer. 

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2:05 p.m. EDT

Ralph Vacchiano is reporting that both Nicks and Manningham are warming up on the field prior to the game and look ready to go. Start Nicks in all formats as he has one of the better matchups this week. 

UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2:35 p.m. EDT

The New York Giants are depleted this year with the injuries they have faced, but getting wide receiver Hakeem Nicks back in the lineup is the perfect way to fix the team’s ills.

Yahoo! NFL insider Brad Evans is reporting about Hakeem Nicks’ availability for Sunday’s game:

While the return of Nicks to the team is great, his affect won’t be felt immediately and you should not start him until the Giants show they will keep throwing him the ball.

Thursday, Sept. 29 at 5:51 p.m. EST

Michael Fabiano of NFL Network is reporting that Hakeem Nicks should be able to play this weekend,

However, it doesn't sound like Coughlin is too confident at this point. Swelling in Nicks' knee doesn't bode well for fantasy owners, who should probably tame their expectations if they do play him.

Thursday, Sept. 29 at 12:40 p.m. EST

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News first reported that Nicks has been added to the injury list via Twitter.

Here is what Rotoworld took away from the report,

"

Nicks practiced in full on Wednesday and we never like to see downgrades in status. It could be related to the swelling in his knee that limited him ahead of Week 2, or it could just be simple rest. The Giants will update Nicks' status later this afternoon.

"

Setbacks are never a good sign, and it doesn't bode well for fantasy owners. His status for this weekend's game is still unknown, but he likely needs to take a week or two off in order to get completely healthy.

Nicks is a tough player, though, so it will be interesting to see if he can go this weekend.