NFL Roundup: Tuck, Nicks miss Giants' preseason opener
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks will not suit up for Saturday night's preseason opener against the host Pittsburgh Steelers, the Giants announced.
Tuck has missed the team's last two practices with lingering back pain. Tuck told the New York Daily News the injury was not serious. Coach Tom Coughlin said he was surprised by it.
"Really, nobody saw this coming," Coughlin said. "All of a sudden, his back was stiff and tight. He's doing what he can now to get that thing back to where it should be so he can get back to work. (Missing practice) was not what we wanted. He's not quite as nifty and nimble as we had hoped. We'll have to see. I actually thought he would work (Friday)."
Nicks has been sidelined by a groin strain that he sustained early in training camp. He told WFAN-AM this week that he is "100 percent." But he has been limited to riding a stationary bike during practice.
---San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy said on the team's website that rookie linebacker Manti Te'o will miss a week of practice because of a foot sprain.
Te'o showed up to practice Saturday wearing a walking boot.
McCoy did not specify how Te'o was injured. Presumably, the injury occurred during Friday's 31-10 preseason loss to the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Te'o, a second-round draft choice out of Notre Dame, started at inside linebacker but did not record a tackle in two series.
---Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone said Saturday that rookie EJ Manuel will start at quarterback in the preseason opener on Sunday at Indianapolis.
Veteran Kevin Kolb is sidelined with a minor left knee injury but could be available in an emergency situation. It could also be a sign that Manuel is winning the job.
Manuel was taken with the No. 16 overall pick in the April draft out of Florida State.
---Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Saturday that he spoke with wide receiver Justin Blackmon in his office a day after the two argued on the sideline during the preseason opener.
Blackmon had to be escorted off the sideline and to the locker room after having a verbal confrontation with Bradley during Friday's 27-3 loss to the visiting Miami Dolphins.
Bradley said the argument was "a lot smaller than what I initially thought." Bradley confronted Blackmon when the second-year wide receiver started jawing with Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll in the second quarter. Once defensive end Jason Babin stepped in and told Blackmon to calm down, things escalated. Eventually, Blackmon cooled off after running back Maurice Jones-Drew intervened and walked with him to the locker room.
---The San Francisco 49ers activated running back Kendall Hunter from the active/physically-unable-to-perform list Saturday.
Hunter was put on the list as a precaution early in training camp. He was recovering from an Achilles injury he sustained during week 12 last season against the New Orleans Saints.
Hunter averaged 5.2 yards per carry, running for 371 yards with two touchdowns last year.
