The New York Giants have a massively important game on Sunday at home against the New Orleans Saints, but may be without one of its top playmakers.

Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks practiced on Friday, but missed the previous day's session with swelling in his knee, according to ESPNNewYork.com. On Wednesday, Nicks was not listed on the injury report and made it through a full practice with no issues.

"It's always a concern," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "But hopefully it will subside and he'll be ready to go."

Nicks has been dealing with injuries all season after getting foot surgery earlier this year. In his first three years with Giants, Nicks has played in at least 13 games, but has played in only nine this season. He is on pace for the lowest statistical totals of his career and has made only 46 catches for 585 yards and two touchdowns this season.

After having surgery on his foot in the offseason, Nicks recovered in time for the opener against the Dallas Cowboys, but lacked his usual quickness and speed. In Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nicks had his best game of the season, making 10 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown, but was injured when another player landed on his knee in a collision.

Nicks missed the next three games before returning on Oct. 14 against the San Francisco 49ers. He had five catches for 44 yards and helped the Giants to a 26-3 win in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship game.

"He's got to get as healthy as we can possibly have him come game day," Giants receiver Victor Cruz said to ESPNNewYork.com. "If that means taking a day off for some treatment and getting himself physically ready to go then so be it."

In the past three games Nicks has been targeted 37 times in the past three games by quarterback Eli Manning, but has made only 19 catches. In the past two seasons Nicks has made at least 76 catches and 1,052 yards and seven touchdowns, but likely fall short of those numbers this year with the injuries.

As a rookie Nicks made 47 catches for 790 yards and six touchdowns and was essential last season as the Giants made their run to the Super Bowl, making 28 receptions for 44 yards and four touchdowns.

With Nicks hobbled by injuries, Manning and the Giants have relied on Victor Cruz even more. This season he has made 68 receptions for 883 yards and eight touchdowns and has been targeted 118 times.

Safety Kenny Phillips missed his third straight practice session on Friday, meaning he is likely to miss Sunday's game against the Saints.

Phillips sprained his MCL early in the season and hurt the same area against the Green Bay Packers three weeks ago. He was working in the stationary bike area during practice and played only 20 snaps last week in the 17-16 Monday night loss to the Washington Redskins.

"Just something he's dealing with," Coughlin said to ESPNNewYork.com.

When Phillips is on the field, the Giants can employ a three-safety set with Stevie Brown and Antrel Rolle, something that has been very successful for the team in wins against San Francisco and Green Bay.

He has made 15 tackles this season and has one pass defended. Phillips made five tackles against the Packers and had a season-high six in the win over Tampa Bay.

Linebacker Jacquian Williams is likely to return to the field on Sunday for the first time since suffering a knee injury against the 49ers in October. Williams is known for his speed, which is something the Giants have lacked in the middle of the field in his absence, especially against Robert Griffin III on Monday night.

Williams has made 15 tackles and one sack this season and caused the crucial forced fumble last season that helped the Giants win the NFC Championship.

The Giants are 7-5 and have lost three of the past four games. The team won four straight in October, but has been inconsistent recently, scoring just 29 points in the last two losses.

The game on Sunday is a must-win for the Giants after last week's loss at the Redskins. New York is only one game up on Washington and Dallas in the NFC East with four games left to play, all tough matchups.

Following Sunday's game against the Saints, the Giants travel to Atlanta and Baltimore before finishing the season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have lost eight in a row since defeating the Giants 19-17 on Sept. 30.