The New York Giants have signed free agent Hakeem Nicks to a contract following the news that Victor Cruz will have surgery and will miss the rest of the 2015 season. Nicks and Dwayne Harris could be solid fantasy football pickup options after the bye week, which the Giants come into as the division leaders in the NFC East.
The Giants have brought in former wideout Hakeem Nicks back to the team on Tuesday, signing the free agent after Victor Cruz announced the news that he would be out for the season, according to Pro Football Talk. Nicks was with the Colts last season and he signed with the Titans this year before getting cut before the season started. Nicks previously had some productive seasons in New York, including back to back 1000 yard seasons in 2010-2011.
The Giants have not had Cruz healthy all season and the wide receiver announced this week that he will have surgery on his injured calf, keeping him out for all of 2015. According to Bleacher Report, Cruz said that he is going to have surgery on his calf and while it was a tough decision, he hopes he can return at full strength next season. Cruz's future could be up in the air based on his contract, but the team has not made any decisions at this time about Cruz and 2016.
Pro Football Talk reports that Cruz may have to take a pay cut or risk release from the Giants, as he has nearly $8 million in salary for next season and he has not played since injuring his knee in 2014. Cruz has no more guaranteed money on his contract and if he doesn't take a pay cut or a contract restructure, there is a chance he could be cut loose. Cruz has three years left on his deal. According to Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News, GM Jerry Reese said that the Cruz contract situation "will take care of itself."
The Giants are currently leading the NFC East despite losing to the Patriots on Sunday, as the team is 5-5 ahead of the Redskins and Eagles, who are both 4-5. The Cowboys come into things at 2-7 and they are about to get Tony Romo back and the quarterback feels that he can help Dallas get back into the division mix. The Cowboys will need a strong finish to get back into the division race and coming out of the bye the Giants will have an important divisional game against the Redskins. After that game the Giants have just one divisional matchup left, which will be in Week 17 against the Eagles.
