The New York Giants were without a pair of mainstays when they rolled into Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Saturday night.
Defensive end Justin Tuck and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks are among a list of players who didn't suit up, the team announced. The Giants went on to win, 18-13.
Tuck, 30, has missed two straight practices with lingering back pain. He downplayed the injury, per the New York Daily News, but coach Tom Coughlin suggested the setback came out of nowhere.
"Really, nobody saw this coming," Coughlin told reporters Friday, per the newspaper. "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."
Said Coughlin: "(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 remains sidelined by a groin strain that took him out of action early in training camp. He's now back at practice and told WFAN-AM this week that he's "100 percent," but Nicks has done little more than ride a stationary bike during practices. Not a dark concern in early August, but a growing issue as Big Blue winds its way toward September.
UPDATE: Steelers rookie running back Le'Veon Bell also missed the game with a sore knee, the Pittsburgh pregame broadcast announced.
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