It's a good thing running backs Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams showed some promise in last night's preseason Hall of Fame Game, because sources say the New York Giants are shutting down David Wilson for the remainder of the season due to a recurrent neck injury.
Last season Wilson missed 11 games due to a disk problem he suffered in his neck. The injury required spinal fusion surgery and Wilson wouldn't be cleared to resume football activities until July 21. But last week the Giants running back sustained a 'neck burner' in practice after colliding with guard Eric Herman and has remained sidelined ever since. What was believed to be a recoverable injury is now career threatening for Wilson.
The 23-year-old was selected 32nd overall out of Virginia Tech in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was limited his rookie season due to coach Tom Coughlin's philosophy that rookies should be learning in their first season rather than jumping right into action. Wilson also had some fumbling issues, which didn't help his cause for playing time. He rushed the ball 71 times for 358 yards and four touchdowns, but followed up that campaign in 2013 with 44 rushes for 146 yards and one touchdown in just five games before suffering the neck injury.
The 'burner' that Wilson suffered last week in practice is a nerve injury as a result of trauma to the neck and shoulder and is characterized by burning pain that radiates down the arm. After undergoing examination at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, the Giants announced last Wednesday that Wilson would not participate in practice for the remainder of the week, including last night's preseason opener. But a source has informed ESPN's Josina Anderson that Wilson will miss the entire 2014 season and potentially his career.
The Giants likely saw this injury as a potential long-term issue because they signed Rashad Jennings in free agency and drafted the nation's leading rusher Andre Williams out of Boston College in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. Luckily for New York, these two backs showed some power and physicality last night, so the depth looks like it will be sufficient even with Wilson out. But despite the Giants' loss, many hope Wilson will be OK and wish him the best moving forward.
You can read more about David Wilson's neck injury in this NFL.com article.
UPDATE: New York Giants' doctors advise Wilson to give up football as a result of his injury. You can read more here.
