In a season where they have suffered more season-ending injuries than any other team in the NFL, the New York Giants will face the rival Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) on Sunday with a depleted and devastated receiving corps.
After losing Domenik Hixon to a torn ACL — his second in two years — for the season and Mario Manningham to a concussion this week, the Giants (1-1) will have to patch things together to give quarterback Eli Manning some reliable targets for their showdown in Philadelphia.
“We have some different people we can use,’’ Giants coach Tom Coughlin said after a practice that saw regular starter Hakeem Nicks paired with second-year player Victor Cruz with the first unit. “We have a few ways we can go.’’
Manningham did not practice Friday. He was away from the Timex Performance Center, receiving the mandatory league tests to see if he can be cleared to play Sunday. Since he had not practiced all week and had not received clearance, Manningham is doubtful.
The Giants signed veteran Michael Clayton to replace Hixon, who was placed on injured reserve. Clayton was with the team last year and in training camp before being waived. Clayton was a former No. 1 draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who caught two passes in six games with the Giants in 2010.
Clayton was asked if he could help the team’s plight at wide receiver right away.
“Whatever they need me to do,’’ Clayton said. “I stayed active and was working out every day. I was anticipating a call. You never know what’s going to happen and you never know how long it’s going to last. I’m just here to play.’’
Nicks, the team’s leading receiver with 11 receptions, doesn’t think that there’s any added pressure on him being the lone healthy starting receiver.
“I don’t want to try to do too much,’’ said Nicks, who was also battling a knee injury last week and into the Giants’ 28-16 win over the St. Louis Rams Monday. “I don’t want to overdo anything. I just have to stick to the gameplan and contribute whatever I can to the team. I’m approaching this game like I always do. I think if you look at it that I’m the only one, then it could be a problem. But the other receivers have practiced well and look good.’’
Cruz, who was signed as a free agent out of UMass last year, missed all of last season with a knee injury. He has two career receptions for 17 yards. It’s more than likely he’ll get the start against the Eagles.
