Giants' Nicks begins running routes

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks took a step in his recovery from a broken right foot, running in a straight line and in circles without pain. Nicks is on

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks took a step in his recovery from a broken right foot, running in a straight line and in circles without pain.

Nicks is on track to return around Aug. 20, when he'll be a full 12 weeks removed from the injury he suffered in minicamp. He had screws inserted into the bone in late May to advance the healing process and expects to be able to run routes on the sideline Tuesday.

Nicks might not play at all in preseason games. The goal for Nicks, he said, is to be on the field Sept. 5 for the regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants are without two of their top three wide receivers from last season with Nicks sidelined and Mario Manningham moving on as a free agent. He signed a two-year deal with the 49ers">49ers. Victor Cruz, a breakout player last season voted to the Pro Bowl, is in the final year of his contract.

-- The Sports Xchange