Hakeem Nicks' recovery from a broken foot was expected to take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, but the New York Giants are tempering hopes for the wideout's hasty return from surgery.
Team spokesman Pat Hanlon told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio on Wednesday that Nicks' projection of returning to the Giants by training camp is "overly optimistic," according to our friends at Rotoworld.com.
Hanlon doesn't expect the Giants' second-leading pass-catcher from last season to participate in drills before the end of the 12-week recovery period.
Coach Tom Coughlin is confident Nicks' replacement can be found from within, and dismissed the notion of pursuing free agent Plaxico Burress.
We also have this from ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk on Wednesday:
Domenik Hixon is working with Victor Cruz and the first team with Hakeem Nicks out.
- Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 30, 2012
This falls in line with what we projected after Nicks went down.
We've said all along the Giants can forge ahead without the receiver. We expect Nicks to be ready for the season opener, but the team is deep at the position and Coughlin is a master at preparing reserves for a larger role when called upon. The Giants refuse to panic and won't rush Nicks back before it's time.











