New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks went down hard on his left knee following a long reception in Week 2 and never was the same. You can say the same about the Giants' offense.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Nicks has undergone arthroscopic surgery on the knee.
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Nicks battled the two injuries all season long. He missed three games and finished with 53 receptions for 692 yards and three touchdowns. According to The Star-Ledger, Nicks believed he hurt the knee in part because he was compensating to protect the right foot he fractured in May.
Center David Baas also underwent surgery. Coughlin wouldn't go into specifics -- he only offered that work was done "on his body" -- but The Star-Ledger reported Baas had "multiple procedures." Baas was a mainstay on the injury report, playing through issues with his hand, elbow, ankle, hip and shoulder.
It's a testament to Baas' toughness that he started all 16 games. As for Nicks, his absence proved just how important he is in dictating the balance and flow of the Giants' passing offense.
If all goes to plan, a healthy Nicks and a well-paid Victor Cruz will drive the Giants' passing attack in 2013.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.