EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Running back David Wilson’s second season with the New York Giants is over and his career might be in doubt because of a neck injury.
The Giants placed their 2012 first-round draft pick on season-ending injured reserve Thursday, roughly a month after he was hurt against the Eagles.
Wilson sustained a herniated disk and tests showed some narrowing of his spinal column. An examination Monday showed improvement in the herniation, but not enough to let him play.
Coach Tom Coughlin does not think that Wilson will need surgery.
Still, there is concern.
Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka had a similar injury in 2010, sparking concern about his career. His injury healed with time and he returned and played a big role in the Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl season.
Wilson was handed the Giants’ starting job at halfback after Ahmad Bradshaw was released after last season. He lost two fumbles in the season opener at Dallas and struggled most of the season playing behind a revamped offensive line. He finished with 44 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown.
The Giants also placed defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (knee) on injured reserve. The team activated running back Andre Brown from recallable injured reserve and defensive tackle Markus Kuhn from the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
Brown was expected to be Wilson’s backup this season, but he broke his left leg in the preseason finale against New England. He is expected to be active for Sunday’s game against Oakland, sharing the load with Peyton Hillis and Brandon Jacobs.
Brown rushed for 385 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns last season.
Rogers had nine tackles as a backup before being hurt against Minnesota on Oct. 21. The 13-year veteran spent the 2012 season on injured reserve after developing a blood clot in his leg.
A seventh-round draft choice in 2012, Kuhn played in 10 games with one start as a rookie. He had 14 tackles (seven solo) and three passes defenced before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in a game on Nov. 11 against Cincinnati.
