Giants WR Ramses Barden (concussion) has been cleared to resume practicing.

Barring a setback, he'll return for Sunday's game against the 49ers. Even if Hakeem Nicks (foot) remains sidelined, however, Barden won't be a fantasy option with Domenik Hixon (11 catches, 169 yards) breaking out the past two weeks.

Giants declared WRs Ramses Barden and Hakeem Nicks, OT David Diehl, LB Keith Rivers, CB Jayron Hosley, S Kenny Phillips, and DT Rocky Bernard inactive for Week 5 against the Browns.

Barden is out with a concussion. Nicks has knee and foot injuries, but seems to be progressing and should have a chance to play next week. Rivers, Hosley, Phillips, Diehl, and Bernard are all battling various injuries. The Giants are perhaps the NFL's most banged-up team right now, so they should consider themselves lucky that they get to face the winless Browns in Week 5.

Giants WR Ramses Barden (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 5.

The G-Men will turn to a three-wide set of Victor Cruz, Domenik Hixon, and Rueben Randle against the Browns. With Hakeem Nicks (knee, foot) showing signs of progress, Barden can be dropped in 10- and 12-team fantasy leagues.

Ramses Barden (concussion) did not practice Thursday.

Since Barden wasn't diagnosed with his concussion until Tuesday, he probably doesn't have enough time to get through the league's protocols. Reuben Randle would take his place as the No. 3 wideout against the Browns.

Giants WR Ramses Barden has been diagnosed with a concussion.

Barden never left Sunday night's loss to the Eagles, so it's unclear exactly when the concussion occurred. Regardless, his status for Sunday's game against the Browns is unclear. If Barden and Hakeem Nicks (knee, foot) can't go, Domenik Hixon will start and be an every-down wideout against a Joe Haden-less secondary.

Ramses Barden caught two passes for 36 yards in New York's Week 4 loss to the Eagles.

A quiet fantasy night for Barden following his Week 4 torching of the Panthers, but he drew two massive pass-interference penalties on the Giants' final drive as they scrambled to get into field-goal position. However, he undid most of his good work by putting Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha in a chokehold with 0:25 left to play, drawing a 10-yard penalty and knocking Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field-goal attempt from the Eagles' 26 to the 36. Tynes missed. Barden was clearly behind Domenik Hixon on the targets' totem pole this evening, and even if Hakeem Nicks misses a third straight game in Week 5, Barden is no longer a fantasy consideration in any format.

Ramses Barden appears to have fallen back behind a healthy Domenik Hixon on the Giants' wide receiver depth chart.

Coach Tom Coughlin was evasive on the question, suggesting "there are roles for everybody." Beat writers walked away believing Hixon remains higher in the pecking order -- for now. It's a fluid situation. Barden is without fantasy value barring another setback for Hakeem Nicks.

Giants GM Jerry Reese compared Ramses Barden's development to that of Amani Toomer, who played 13 years for the G-Men.

"I have seen a lot of guys after their third year enter their fourth year and turn it on," Reese said. "Amani Toomer comes to mind. His first three years, he was trying to get it, trying to get it. In his fourth year, he was lights out." Barden won't be the offensive focal again with Hakeem Nicks likely to return for Week 4, but he should be passing Domenik Hixon for the No. 3 role.

Ramses Barden caught nine passes for 138 yards in Week 3 on Thursday night against the Panthers.

It was a career night for Barden, who had just 16 catches in his entire four-year career entering the game. He filled in quite admirably for Hakeem Nicks, who was out nursing his foot injury. The deep middle behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties is where Barden made his living on Thursday, as he caught the first nine passes thrown his way. For fantasy owners that plucked him off the waiver wire in time for the Week 3 affair, a touchdown is the only thing that could have made it sweeter. Nicks will be back for Week 4 against the Eagles, so Barden is likely headed back to the fantasy free agent market.

Ramses Barden will start in place of Hakeem Nicks versus the Panthers in Week 3.

Fantasy owners needing to choose between Barden and Rueben Randle would be wise to pick the former. Barden had 47 snaps in Week 2 compared to just three for Randle. With Victor Cruz likely staying in the slot for three-wide sets, Barden should be an every-down receiver Thursday night. We don't like him as more than a flex option. The Giants have confirmed that Andre Brown will start over David Wilson at tailback.

The Star-Ledger tentatively expects Ramses Barden to start Thursday's game against the Panthers.

Barden played ahead of rookie Reuben Randle last week, stepping in for Domenik Hixon (concussion). This week, both Hixon and Hakeem Nicks (foot) are out. Still, Barden and Randle figure to rotate at the "X" receiver spot, crippling any fantasy upside. Victor Cruz and Martellus Bennett project as target monsters.

Ramses Barden is expected to serve as the Giants' No. 3 wideout with Domenik Hixon (concussion) sidelined.

Hixon left in the second quarter of the Week 2 win over the Bucs, allowing Barden to play 47 snaps. He still caught just one ball for 24 yards.

ESPN New York believes Ramses Barden has locked up a roster spot.

Barden is finally healthy and producing. Over the final two preseason games, he caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. The Giants figure to use a rotation at the No. 2 wideout spot this year, with the 6-foot-6 Barden acting as a red-zone threat.

Ramses Barden caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in Friday's preseason game against the Bears.

Working the slant, Barden corralled all three of his targets, one of which was an 11-yard touchdown strike from Eli Manning. The 6-foot-6, 224-pound fourth-year pro looked like he knew how to use his physicality this evening. He has just four catches for 60 yards through three preseason games, however. Barden has a good shot at keeping his roster spot, but isn't likely to carve out a meaningful role on offense.

Giants WR Ramses Barden knows he's facing a make-or-break season in 2012.

Coach Tom Coughlin agrees. "It's time. It was time last year. It's time," Coughlin said. "The guy is going to make a mark in the league. He's smart; he's been around long enough." Barden is battling Domenik Hixon and rookie Rueben Randle for No. 3 receiver duties. Considering ineffectiveness and injuries have limited Barden to 17 games and 15 catches since being a third-round pick in 2009, it's a competition the slow-moving 6-foot-6 wideout is unlikely to win.

Ramses Barden is considered a long shot to win the No. 3 receiver job.

Barden's 6'6/244 frame always seems to generate hype, but he never puts it together on the field. The 2009 third-round pick will be trying to beat out Rueben Randle, Domenik Hixon and Jerrel Jernigan at training camp. He'll have to prove he can simply separate from defenders, leaving a lot of ground to make up.

Whereas coach Tom Coughlin cited consistency as the reason Giants WR Ramses Barden has struggled, OC Kevin Gilbride pointed to Barden's lack of speed.

The feeling among league evaluators is that Barden "can't run," and Gilbride's concerns echo that sentiment. Gilbride says he wishes Barden was "two-tenths of a second faster. ... He still has areas he needs to improve on to create separation from defenders." Barden's size (6'6/224) looks good getting off the bus, but the Giants aren't going to play him if he can't get open.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin cited inconsistency as a primary issue holding back former third-round pick Ramses Barden.

"That would be great if he did," said Coughlin about Barden stepping up. "It has been a little bit of inconsistency. Some days are very, very good and others are not as good. Hopefully it will all catch up with Ramses this spring and this fall." Barden was healthy from October on last year, but "earned" under 150 offensive snaps for the season. He shouldn't be assured of a roster spot.

ESPN New York expects Ramses Barden to be given an opportunity in the No. 3 receiver role if Mario Manningham exits via free agency.

The injury-prone former fourth-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract after posting nine receptions for 94 yards last season. If Barden stays ahead of 2011 third-rounder Jerrel Jernigan, Victor Cruz could play the slot in three-wide sets.

Giants declared WR Ramses Barden, OL Jim Cordle, RB Da'Rel Scott, DE Justin Trattou, DT Jimmy Kennedy, OT James Brewer, and LB Mark Herzlich inactive for Super Bowl XLVI against the Patriots.

Neither side has any surprise inactives. Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), and nickel linebacker Jacquian Williams (foot) are all up for the Giants. Barden appeared in eight regular season games in 2011, securing nine passes for 94 yards. He is the Giants' No. 4 receiver in theory, but a lack of special teams value dropped Barden behind Devin Thomas.