After back-to-back seasons with more than 75 catches and over 1,000 yards with the New York Giants in 2010 and 2011, Hakeem Nicks was one of of the best young wide receivers in the NFL. But injuries hampered him over the following two seasons, including a season with zero touchdowns in 2013, and Nicks failed to make the most of a favorable-looking situation with the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 (38 receptions for 405 yards and four touchdowns).

The Tennessee Titans signed Nicks to a one-year deal with minimal guaranteed money back in April, and he will be battling for a roster spot during training camp. Nicks’ chances to make the 53-man roster largely depends on how many wide receivers Tennessee decides to keep, but a minimum of four guys (Kendall Wright, fellow free agent signing Harry Douglas, 2015 second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham and Justin Hunter) are ahead of him in the pecking order and a case can be made for this year’s seventh-round pick (Tre McBride) as well.

If he has anything close to his previous form left, Nicks needs to stay healthy and show it from the start of training camp this year. In comments to the The Nashville Tennessean in May, as could have been expected, Nicks said that he feels like he has a lot left in his tank and wants to prove he can be talked about as one of the best receivers in the league once again. It’s worth noting that Nicks is still just 27 years old, and he did play all 16 games last year for the first time in his career, but his role with the Titans looks sure to be minimal if he does earn a roster spot.

The Titans can’t be blamed for taking a low-risk flier on Nicks, but his name carries more weight than his actual on-field production at this point. Being highly motivated is just fine, but past lower body issues have clearly taken something from Nicks and there is no sign that he is in line to rebound this year.

Signing with Tennessee is a sure sign that the market for your services was not great, so if Nicks is cut during training camp it’s possible an opportunity with another team will not come. It would be a sad end to a once very promising career, but Nicks may simply be forced to retire if he can’t stick with the Titans.

Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.