Nicks out at least 12 weeks with broken foot

Brad Biggs - National Football Post

New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks will undergo surgery Friday in Charlotte, N.C., after he fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot in an OTA workout this morning.

The club announced that Hicks suffered the injury while running a route during individual drills. He will travel to see noted foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in order to have the surgery. Nicks is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks, making it likely he will not be ready to go – or at least not full speed – when the defending Super Bowl champions report to training camp in Albany, N.Y., on July 26.

It’s not the first significant injury for the Giants in OTA’s. Cornerback Brian Witherspoon suffered a torn ACL on Wednesday, and he was waived/injured. Replacing him on the roster was Dante Hughes, who has spent time previously with the San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts.

This is ample proof that even in non-contact drills, the offseason can be treacherous for some players.

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Kruger gets first shot to replace Suggs

Posted by Evan Silva on May 24, 2012, 8:03 PM EDT

Getty Images

In the Ravens’ 2011 defense, Terrell Suggs played roughly half of his snaps at outside linebacker, and the other half at defensive end. Suggs tore his Achilles’ tendon earlier this month, and the Ravens are now trying to replace those snaps.

While much of the early speculation centered on rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Aaron Wilson of theCarroll County Times reports that former second-round pick Paul Kruger is getting the first crack at Suggs’ rush linebacker position.

“It’s early to say what will happen,” conceded Kruger, “but this is what we’re doing now. I’m told where I’m going to line up and I do it.”

Kruger recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks last season, and is more familiar with coordinator Dean Pees’ defense than Upshaw. Upshaw is practicing at strong-side linebacker — Jarret Johnson’s old position. Johnson is now a San Diego Charger.

Kruger certainly won’t lack motivation to excel in what Suggs patented as a highly productive and active position in Pees’ system. It’s the last year of Kruger’s rookie contract, and he could strike it rich on the 2013 free agent market with a breakout season.

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