Hakeem Nicks Signing: Wide receiver returning to New York Giants

The New York Giants are  replacing one former star wide receiver with another. The Giants have signed former No. 1 wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to replace his ex-running mate Victor Cruz on the roster, an announcement the team made official in a press release late Tuesday afternoon.

Cruz, of course, has not played this season and announced Monday that he will undergo season-ending calf surgery. The Giants officially placed him on Injured Reserve on Tuesday and replace him on the roster with Nicks. The two were, of course, teammates from 2011-2013.

Nicks, 27, was the Giants' first-round pick in 2009. He caught 311 passes with the Giants from 2009-2013. He caught more than 70 passes during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. The 311 receptions and 4,622 receiving yards are each the ninth-highest totals in Giants history. Nicks has caught 306 passes for 4,538 yards from Eli Manning, both totals more than any other player.

"It can't get any better, man," Nicks said in the statement released by the Giants. "I'm looking forward to it, I'm fired up about it. When you do something since you were 10 years old and there comes a time when you've got to sit for a while, you're not used it and that's something you have to overcome. I think just taking it all into consideration, being back here where I was drafted in 2009, being back home, this is the way it was supposed to be."

Knee and foot injuries slowed Nicks, however, and after seasons of 53 and 56 catches in in 2012 and 2013 he and the Giants parted ways.

Nicks caught only 38 passes for the Indianapolis Colts last season. He was cut by the Tennessee Titans this preseason, and had yet to find an employer.

His return might be considered a bit surprising, since it didn't seem as though Nicks and the Giants were on the best of terms when he left. It will be interesting to see what the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Nicks has left, and what type of role the Giants may have for him. The Giants have been using Dwayne Harris in the slot and have often slid Odell Beckham Jr. inside, as well. Perhaps they see Nicks as insurance for Rueben Randle or as a guy they can use on the outside as a fourth wide receiver.

Are you glad to have him back, Giants fans?

More Roster Moves

The Giants waived linebacker James Morris, who played in three games. They did not as of yet announce a replacement for Morris on the 53-man roster. The Giants also terminated the practice squad contract of wide receiver Julian Talley.