David Wilson’s post-playing career will begin with a boost.
The speedy running back may never play another down in the NFL, after being advised by doctors to end his career because of a neck injury, but Wilson will receive 71 percent of the $2.3 million remaining on the final two years of his rookie contract with the Giants, according to Bloomberg.
While on injured reserve, the 23-year-old former first round pick will be paid the full $998,000 of his 2014 salary, and under the NFL labor agreement, Wilson is eligible for half of his $1.3 million 2015 salary.
Wilson will walk away from the game after appearing in only 21 games, missing the final 11 games of last season with a herniated disk in his neck. The Virginia native was selected 32nd overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, which earned him roughly $3 million in signing bonuses.
Wilson was eligible for much of the remaining salary on his contract due to a clause placed in the collective bargaining agreement in 2011, which says a player can receive injury protection benefits if an injury in one season prevents him from playing the next season. He is eligible to receive $650,000 in 2015.