Hakeem Nicks wasn’t in great form last Sunday in San Francisco, but he pushed through his knee and foot injuries — the ones that kept him out three previous games — to provide some presence against the 49ers.

On Sunday against the Redskins, Nicks doesn’t plan on just being a decoy. Though he was limited in practice Friday, Nicks still has worked more during this week than he had since he suffered the injuries in Week 2 against the Buccaneers.

“I was still a little cautious (last Sunday) about it,” Nicks said. “I really just had one practice, then got in the game. I had three weeks off. I wasn’t really expecting too much out of that game. This week I had a full week of practice so I expect it to be better. Next week will be better.”

A healthier Nicks added to Eli Manning’s array of targets will mean plenty against a Redskins team that has allowed a league-worst 328.3 passing yards per game, as well as 15 passing touchdowns.

Nicks said it was important to get in uniform and on the field against the Niners, who have the league’s top passing defense, if only to draw coverage away from Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon, and “try to keep those guys honest.”

No more of that Sunday, though. Friday was Nicks’ third straight day of at least some practice work, the first time he’s done that in a month.

“Every day he comes back out and he tells me he feels good about it and so he gets probably half the reps,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. 

GIANTS: New York activated defensive tackle Chris Canty for Sunday’s NFC East game against Washington.

Canty started every game in the Giants’ 2011 championship season, but had offseason knee surgery and had been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp. 

SAINTS: New Orleans moved linebacker Jonathan Vilma from its physically unable to perform list to the active roster, meaning he could play for the first time this season Sunday at Tampa Bay.

However, tight end Jimmy Graham did not make the trip because of his sprained right ankle.

The Saints terminated the contract of receiver Greg Camarillo to make room for Vilma, who is coming back from left knee surgery and is appealing his season-long suspension in the NFL’s bounty probe of the Saints. His appeal hearing, and those of three other players facing suspensions of various lengths, has been scheduled for Oct. 30. 

JETS: Dropping to a knee like Tim Tebow might cost you now.

The New York Jets’ backup quarterback is trademarking “Tebowing,” a move in which he goes down on one knee and holds a clenched fist against his forehead while praying during games. 

49ERS: Running back Frank Gore insisted his bruised ribs will be “all right” after playing Thursday night through the most pain of his 109-game career.

“The X-ray was looking good, and I’ll take it one day at a time,” Gore said.

Aiding Gore’s recovery will be an extended break until the 49ers’ next game, which will be Oct. 29 at the Arizona Cardinals.

Gore rushed for a season-high 131 yards on 16 carries in Thursday’s 13-6 win over the Seattle Seahawks.