..there is no way he couldn't be dead, they were pulling bits off him, intestines and everything...even if that was Nicholas they were eating, he was still on the ground with them all over him so he couldn't survive and it would be ridiculous if he did...maybe him being on set is that there are going to be flashback scenes with Maggie thinking of him..?...
..the ending though as well.....
Spoiler:
I definitely think any scenario where he survives is pretty silly, I just have this feeling.
Another thing, why do they never shoot someone in the head when they're swarmed by walkers? They stand there looking at them being eaten alive for what feels like forever but don't put them out of their misery.
... 
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