David Wilson played in only five games this season before a herniated disk in his neck landed him on injured reserve and the uncertainty about his physical health led Giants general manager Jerry Reese to verbalize a serious concern.
“I don’t think you go into the next season saying David Wilson’s going to be our No. 1 starting running back,’’ Reese said Monday. “The guy is coming off of a neck surgery, if he decides to have it.’’
Reese said the Giants are “hopeful’’ Wilson can resume his NFL career. “The earlier reports that I’ve gotten, doctors do think they can fix this and he’ll be able to play,’’ Reese said.
But there are no guarantees. Wilson, the 2012 first-round draft pick, had a miserable start to his second season, losing two fumbles on opening night in Dallas and averaging only 3.3 yards on his 44 rushing attempts. Now he’s a medical risk.
“Those disks they have, sometimes they can shrink and it takes time for them to shrink,’’ Reese said. “They did that and we’re waiting. I think the prognosis is that he’ll be ready to play next fall, if he has his surgery.’’
Asked if Wilson’s return can be counted on, Reese said: “If a guy is having a possible surgery that could end his career, it’s hard to say that. I think we’ll have to have some contingency plans at the running back position.’’
DE Jason Pierre-Paul said he’s hoping to avoid surgery on his shoulder but if he needs it, he won’t wait long. “I will know by the end of this month, January, if I’m going to need surgery or not,’’ JPP said. “Right now I’m good but you never know.’’ … WR Hakeem Nicks, headed to free agency after a disappointing (no TDs) season said, “I still consider myself one of the top receivers in this league and I’m going to go out and prove it.’’
The Giants had to clean out their lockers more thoroughly than usual because the NFC team in Super Bowl XLVIII will use the Giants facility and locker room.
“Yeah. I guess it’s a little different clearing everything out and somebody else using our locker room,’’ Eli Manning said. “It would have been nice to stay in our own locker room.’’
Justin Tuck, for about the 500th time, reiterated “I would love to retire as a Giant.’’ He said he was to meet Monday with team officials to express his desire to return and perhaps lay some early contract groundwork. … If Lovie Smith is hired as the Buccaneers head coach, Giants VP of Player Evaluation Marc Ross could be headed to Tampa as the general manager. … Antrel Rolle on not making the Pro Bowl: “Did I get [hosed]? Absolutely.’’
RB Brandon Jacobs, coming off knee surgery, said he will approach the offseason as if he is rehabbing to return. He’s a free agent and has likely played his last game in the NFL. If not, he wants to play only one place.
“I’m only playing here,’’ Jacobs said. “[Forget] all them other teams. I tried all that before. I’m a Giant. I’m a Giant up and down, 0-16, 16-0, 8-8 whatever you want to call it. I’m a Giant.’’
The Giants signed seven players from their practice squad to reserve/future contracts: DE Kendrick Adams, OT Steven Baker, RB Kendall Gaskins, WR Marcus Harris, DB Travis Howard, DB Junior Mertile, DB Chaz Powell and DB Ross Weaver.