No fear, no risk, no problem.
That is the way David Wilson views his return to the Giants as the dynamic running back they need him to be. Wilson is coming off spinal cord fusion surgery back in January, and the Giants are hopeful he can return. Wilson on Tuesday sounded more than hopeful. He sounded sure his career will pick up where it left off before running into this problem with his neck.
“I’m looking forward to getting cleared and being ready to go for training camp and OTAs,’’ Wilson said. “That’s basically it.’’
The third-year back, wearing a skin-tight shirt, looked as if he was chiseled out of stone. He has not yet received medical clearance to resume football activities and says a new MRI exam will determine is his neck is fully healed from the surgery.
Wilson said he expects the MRI exam will show he is good to go for the start of organized team activities in late May.
“For sure, I expect to, I want to,’’ Wilson said.
Wilson, 22, played in just five games last season before the neck issue put him on the sideline, then on injured reserve and then under the surgeon’s knife. He has a small scar on the front of his neck but says that was the only time he ever felt any pain from the injury.
“When I’m going to see all these doctors, I passed every test except for the picture, and that’s the only reason I’m not on the field, because of a picture,’’ Wilson said of his previous MRI exams. “Right now we need to get the photograph that we need.
“As the doctor sees what he wants to see I’m good. Right now he said I’m going really well, and I’m ahead of schedule. That’s a positive thing to hear.’’
The Giants have taken a wait-and-see approach with Wilson but did not stand pat, as they signed Rashad Jennings to handle a heavy load in the offensive backfield.
Wilson said “Both of us can be an every-down back,’’ and Jennings insists “As far as a 1-2 punch, that something we’re going to strive to become.’’
Wilson said he never has been advised by anyone to stop playing football and does not consider his return a risk. As far as re-injuring the neck, he said “Freak of nature, anything can happen again.’’