Ahmad Bradshaw says he thinks Hakeem Nicks will return this week and play against San Francisco.

"He’s tough," Bradshaw said on ESPN New York 98.7. "I think he will be here this week. He seemed to give me a hint that he would be."

Nicks has not played since Sept. 16 against Tampa Bay. He has pain in his surgically repaired foot and swelling in his knee. Tom Coughlin said Nicks has undergone an MRI but the head coach won't reveal much further on Nicks' condition. Coughlin said he will have to wait to see if Nicks can resume practicing once a week on Thursday this week.

"Hakeem will be back 100 percent when he does," Bradshaw said. "He's just being careful and taking his time. He wants co come back and be that playmaker he's always been. He doesn’t want it to come back on him and he misses game in and game out. I think he is being [safe] about it."

As for this weekend's NFC Championship game rematch with the Niners, Bradshaw is looking forward to seeing Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham again. Bradshaw and Jacobs are like brothers and the running back is also close with Manningham.

"I haven’t talked to him this week," Bradshaw said about Jacobs, who has yet to play this season due to injury. "I talked to him last week. He seemed to think he is going to get some action. I'm sure he is. It is jut a fun competition. It is like playing your brother outside on the playground or older cousin. I can't wait."

Joe is back: The Giants signed former Rutgers running back Joe Martinek to the practice squad and terminated the contract of defensive end Craig Marshall.