Following up on the ongoing story. ... Although there wasn't any real need for optimism, now there's no reason to even hope. According to Newark Star-Ledger beat writer Jenny Vrentas, Hakeem Nicks has been downgraded to out and won't travel to Philadelphia for tomorrow night's game against the Eagles.
Nicks was listed as doubtful after experiencing swelling in his left knee on Friday.
Nicks, along with Domenik Hixon, didn’t play against the Panthers on Sept. 20 and Ramses Barden took advantage of his first start, with nine receptions for 138 yards.
But the thinking had been that Nicks missed the game because his foot didn’t have enough time to recuperate in a short week and would play against the Eagles.
Now Barden and Hixon, who is listed as probable after missing last week’s game due to a concussion, will be called upon to fill the void. That Barden already has done that is comforting.
“He did a great job,” offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said of the 6-6 Barden’s performance against the Panthers. “I could not be happier for the success he had just because of how hard he’s worked. He just takes it all in. He listens; he responds very well to the coaching he gets. He’s improved on those areas that needed to be improved upon, and when a chance came, he jumped up and seized it.”
Nicks’ absence will still be a blow to the Giants, who will face an Eagles secondary that is more talented than that of the Panthers. It's also a blow to Fantasy owners longing for production along the lines of Nicks' 10-catch, 199-yard, 1-touchdown Week 2 performance against the Bucs.
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