Domenik Hixon

If he has his way, New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is playing Monday night. After going through individual drills at practice, Nicks declared he would play against the Rams in the Giants home opener at MetLife Stadium.

"I'll be out there Monday," Nicks said.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was more cautious.

"He'll have an opinion, because he has to say what he feels like," Coughlin said of Nicks. "The doctors are ultimately going to make that decision."

Nicks said he could see no reason for the doctors to hold him back.

"The swelling is gone, the pain ain't really there anymore," Nicks said, "I think I'll be all right."

Nicks did individual drills in the portion of the practice that was open to the media. He said he was held out of team drills, because the team did not want him jumping.

"Yeah, they decided they were not letting me jump out there, they want me to get in a full week of healing underneath my belt," Nicks said. "Still looking forward to playing Monday night."

We like Hakeem's confidence, but there's no guarantee he'll play. If you are in a league where you don't have to lock your entire lineup in before the early Sunday games, plan on starting him as the signs have generally been more encouraging than discouraging, but make sure you can switch to someone else like Domenik Hixon just in case.