Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw Among Five Giants Inactives

By: The Football Girl | Posted: September 20, 2012

He must have just put up too many yards last week. In a move that will leave many a frustrated fantasy owner scrambling to adjust her lineup, Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has been listed as inactive for tonight’s game at Carolina. It is believed that Nicks, who broke his foot this offseason, aggravated the injury late in Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, when he racked up 199 yards. Fellow wide receiver and quarterback Eli Manning’s number three option Domenik Hixon has a strained hamstring and will also be out for the evening, leaving Manning with just one of his primary targets in Victor Cruz. Tight end Martellus Bennett has proven himself a worthwhile offseason addition, so his targets may increase with Nicks and Hixon sidelined. 

Starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw left Sunday’s game with a neck injury after colliding with a Tampa Bay defender. He will be kept out of the evening’s action, with third string running back Andre Brown (who performed up to the task in Bradshaw’s absence Sunday) and the 2012 first round draft pick David Wilson carrying the load. 

As expected, offensive lineman David Diehl is inactive for the matchup after suffering an MCL injury that forced him out of the action Sunday. His injury leaves an already-depleted offensive line in further trouble. Rookie defensive end Adewale Ojomo will sit tonight as well, while nursing a strained hamstring. 

On the positive side, second year cornerback Prince Amukamara is listed as probable. It will be the first we see of him this season, as he has been dealing with a high ankle sprain from preseason. His presence should help a secondary in dire need of assistance. 

The injury to Bradshaw is troubling, as he’s experienced a slew of injuries in the past few seasons, but the Giants have not relied on their rushing attack in years. It’s unfortunate he won’t be available in Charlotte, because with two of three starting receivers unavailable for Manning and one of the offensive line’s staple members out for the game, it may have been an opportunity for Bradshaw to see increased productivity. We’ll see tonight if Brown or Wilson are up to the task, or if Carolina’s defense takes advantage.

UPDATE: Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart will be a game-time decision tonight in Charlotte as he battles a toe injury.

Kim O'Hara is the Associate Editor of TheFootballGirl.com. She is an avid fan of sports in general, but the NFL in particular. She has also been a contributor to ESPN the Magazine. Follow her on Twitter: @arahomik

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