New York Giants Re-Sign Injured Wide Receiver Domenik Hixon
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have re-signed wide receiver Domenik Hixon.
Hixon missed most of last season after surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He was hurt making a touchdown catch against the St. Louis Rams in the second week of the season.
Contract terms were not immediately available, but Hixon gives the Giants another option if Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham is not re-signed.
Hixon has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries. The six-year veteran can return kickoffs and punts. He missed 2010 after being hurt in a noncontact drill in the Giants' first practice at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants now have 20 players who can become unrestricted free agents this month.
Hixon, who was signed by the Giants in 2007 after being released by Denver, had no intention of leaving the Super Bowl champions after the team stuck by him during his injuries.
"They could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me," Hixon said. "But they didn't do that. They treated me the same, and I really appreciate that. I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn't that big. But in this situation I really felt like I wanted to be here. They helped me out time and time again. I wanted to stay here and repay that."
Hixon expects to be ready for training camp.
"I was trying to get Dr. (Russell) Warren (the team physician) to cut me loose for spring ball and do OTAs, and he definitely sees me doing that," Hixon said. "I'm chomping at the bit."
Hixon was hurt this season after landing awkwardly while catching a 22-yard TD pass against the Rams.
The 27-year-old Hixon has played in 46 regular season games with 10 starts. He has 59 receptions for 788 yards and three touchdowns and three rushing attempts for 18 yards. Hixon has returned 48 punts for 530 yards (11.0-yard avg.) and a touchdown and 80 kickoffs for 1,966 yards (24.6-yard avg.) and a touchdown. He also has 25 career special teams tackles.
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