David Wilson was cleared for full contact the day the Giants reported to training camp this summer and, in addition to getting his uniform and equipment, he also received an embrace.
“Obviously when he gets the good news that he can come and practice I’m ecstatic for him,’’ Victor Cruz told The Post on Thursday. “I gave him a hug and said ‘Welcome back, we were missing you and we want you out here, carefree you.’ ’’
Once Wilson hit the field he showed no trepidation, no hesitation coming off serious neck surgery, and Tom Coughlin nearly wanted to hug him, too.
“When he was cleared to play and he came out and exhibited no fear, no nothing, I was really excited about that,’’ the coach said.
And now?
“Until we hear what the doctors bring I’m just praying that the kid’s OK,’’ Coughlin said.
“To see that happen the other day, that was a tough one, man,’’ Cruz said. “I immediately knelt down and said a prayer for him.’’
Prayers are arriving hot and heavy. Wilson, coming off cervical fusion surgery, suffered a burner in practice Tuesday and this new injury to his neck area reverberated throughout the Giants organization.
“Especially as soon as it happened you could hear everyone go dead silent in here,’’ Cruz said. “You could just see a different energy towards him specifically. He knows we’re all for him, we’re all riding with him and we’re here for him, whatever he needs.’’
On Monday, Wilson will be examined and consult with Dr. Frank Cammisa, the specialist who performed his vertebrae fusion surgery in January. Cammisa is the chief of spine services at the Hospital for Special Surgery and until he provides some clarity, there is uncertainty about Wilson’s physical status, although it certainly does appear this is a serious blow to his comeback attempt, and that at 23 years old he could be facing the end of the road.
“We’re obviously concerned, we’re going to have to wait and see what the doctors say,’’ Coughlin said.
“That’s tough, man, not just because of his age but you just worry about him long-term, you don’t know what type of long-term effects that may have,’’ Cruz said. “And he’s such a good player, such a special thing about him and it’s tough he has to go through this now.’’
Wilson put on a brave front on Twitter, writing “everything turned out to be fine’’ following the Giants’ initial evaluation of him on Tuesday, after he took a shovel pass from Curtis Painter, turned up the field and, with his head down, smacked into the back of guard Eric Herman. Wilson tweeted he “passed all physical examinations,” but nothing is official until he sees his surgeon.
After an off-day for the Giants, the team was back at it Thursday morning and Wilson was right there with his teammates. “Was good to see him back in the meeting room, bright-eyed and ready to work and go,’’ said Rashad Jennings, currently atop the depth chart at running back.
Wilson was on the field for practice, but not wearing pads and the only real physical activity he got was when he caught a small bird with a towel, cupped it in his hand and walked it to safety, away from all those menacing cleats.
Jennings said seeing Wilson go down was difficult to accept.
“As soon as I saw him walk off the field I started to hurt,’’ Jennings said.
Jennings and Wilson figured to be the 1-2 punch in a backfield that also includes veteran Peyton Hillis, impressive rookie Andre Williams, second-year pro Michael Cox and practice-squad returnee Kendall Gaskins. It could be an uncommonly deep position — if Wilson is a part of it.
“We got a special group,’’ Jennings said. “Every single running back has the ability to implement their talent inside the system in their own unique way. You got a guy who’s powerful, you got a guy who’s a speedster, you got a guy who’s a little bit of both, guys who can catch the ball out of the backfield. It’s very diverse in the room.’’
If Wilson is out of the picture, figure Williams, a fourth-round pick from Boston College, will be needed to carry the ball behind Jennings.
“I feel for David, that’s my teammate,’’ Williams said. “He’s between a rock and a hard place, I think, because you’re kind of trying to balance something that you love to do and your health. I’m just praying for David, I wish the best for him. I really just hope that he’s OK, because your neck and spine, it’s not something to gamble with.”