It appears as if WR Domenik Hixon (knee) won’t play this weekend. He rode a bike along with rookie WR Hakeem Nicks during practice.

That means Mario Manningham is set to make his first NFL start. Manningham (shoulder) returned to practice.

DE Justin Tuck (shoulder) sat out again and likely won’t play. … CBs Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery, both sidelined with strained hamstrings, ran on the side, but don’t read much into that. “They look like they are running pretty good back on that field,” Tom Coughlin said, “but we have been down this road before so until that is cleared and I’m told exactly what, then I’ll just maintain the way it is.”

At least it looks as if rookie LB Clint Sintim (groin) will finally make his NFL debut.

The Buccaneers have some injury issues of their own. Most likely C Jeff Faine (triceps) won’t play. In addition, WR Antonio Bryant (knee) and Cadillac Williams (knee) didn’t practice.