Hakeem Nicks Injury: Updates on Giants Star's Week 9 Status and Fantasy Value

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has a history of getting banged-up.

This year has been no different, and the third-year star is now battling a hamstring injury that could become an issue.

He caught six passes for 67 yards in the Giants' come-from-behind win over the Miami Dolphins before leaving the game with what he described as, "a cramp that didn't go nowhere in one spot of my hamstring," according to the Bergen County-Record.

The Giants don't have an updated status just yet, but coach Tom Coughlin, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, said the receiver is day-to-day.

UPDATE: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. ET by Ryan Rudnansky

Hakeem Nicks, along with teammates Ahmad Bradshaw and David Baas, didn't travel with the team and will miss Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in Foxboro, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has played very well this season after a forgettable 2010, but he's going to have a tough time leading the Giants over the Patriots with his best running back and best receiver missing the game.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 4 at 1:28 p.m. ET by Eric Bowman

ESPN's John Clayton tweeted the latest news on Nicks, and I'm afraid it is some awful news. 

Nicks said yesterday that he would rather sit than risk injury, and now that he is doubtful it's time to adjust your fantasy lineup. 

The Giants top receiver must now head to your bench because even though it's not official that he won't play, being labeled doubtful and actually starting is very rare. 

Start Victor Cruz or Mario Manningham in place of Nicks. If you don't have either one, then head to the waiver wires and if available, pick up either Michael Crabtree of the San Francisco 49ers, Jonathan Baldwin of the Kansas City Chiefs or Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  

UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 4 at 11:45 a.m. ET by Eric Bowman

Bob Glauber of Newsday tweeted out the updated news on Nicks, and it doesn't look too good. 

It looks as though Nicks will be a game time decision on Sunday, which means you'll have to pay attention to your lineup right before the games start this weekend. 

Although, the fact that Nicks says he'd prefer to sit is not a good sign. The Giants do need him against the Patriots on Sunday because even though it's not a division matchup, it's still a very important game. 

The Patriots secondary has been less than stellar all season, and having Nicks on the field would increase the Giants' chances of pulling the upset. 

Right now, I would say you need to bench Nicks because of that statement. But like I said, wait for more news to come out during the weekend. 

UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 11:59 a.m. EDT by Donald Wood

The New York Giants got more bad news in a season that has been riddled with injuries, and it has to do with star receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks injured knee has been acting up again, and the star receiver will miss practice on Wednesday and is very questionable for Sunday’s game.

New York Daily News Giants beat writer Ralph Vacchiano is reporting on twitter about the status of Nicks and teammate Ahmad Bradshaw:

New York Post Giants beat writer Paul Schwartz is reporting on twitter about a possible replacement for Nicks if he can’t go in Week 9:

When it comes to fantasy players, I think Victor Cruz’s stock goes through the rough if Nicks sits out because Eli Manning has shown that he loves throwing to him no matter who is on the field. As for Ramses Barden, I’d have to see something impressive before I had a fantasy thought with him.

UPDATE: Monday at 7:15 p.m. ET

Good news, Giants fans and Nicks fantasy owners. Nicks got an MRI on his injured hamstring, and the word from Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News is that it didn't reveal anything too scary:

The "no serious damage" part is obviously the key here. It indicates that Nicks could very well be good to go when the Giants play the New England Patriots on Sunday. Vacchiano subsequently tweeted that this is indeed the idea:

If you're a fantasy owner, continue to keep an eye on Nicks' status in the coming days. Things may be rosy now, but that could change at a moment's notice.

Nicks has the potential to be an elite receiver in this league if he can stay healthy.

Quarterback Eli Manning loves to spread the football around and has made fast friends in Victor Cruz and Jake Ballard this season, but Nicks has 17 more targets than anyone else on the team with 62.

Mario Manningham is second with 45 targets.

Nicks is still the No. 1 option for the team and will continue to be for fantasy owners. There is, however, no viable option other than possibly Ballard in a flex spot to replace Nicks should he miss any time.

The Giants would simply bump everyone up one spot and use more two-tight end or two-back sets to account for his production.

There is a small, small chance that Ramses Barden could work his way into the rotation, but the schedule New York will face for the remainder of the season makes that highly unlikely.

But that is the worst-case scenario. Unless the injury crops up as a more serious issue, he should be back on the field.

The Giants desperately need him, too.

This week they'll travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots before traveling out west to take on the San Francisco 49ers.

Big Blue won't play another 1:00 EDT game until December 18. They have three prime-time games, including a trip to New Orleans on Monday night, and could see a 4:00 game flexed to Sunday night.

If the Giants want any shot of running this gauntlet of games, they'll need Nicks on the field.