Giants David Wilson to have neck surgery, future in doubt

August 24, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese watches warmups before a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giants GM, Jerry Reese, went on Mike Francesa’s show on WFAN and stated David Wilson would have neck surgery on January 16th.

Obviously, the Giants, and probably Wilson himself, wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, as spinal fusion surgery is risky. Players have comeback from this surgery, Peyton Manning being the most recent success story, but others have had it end their career. The 22-year-old, former first round pick, could have his career de-railed before it even really began.

Oct 6, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) does a back flip after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Also, one really has to wonder about how the Giants medical staff approaches these types of injuries. They seem to take a cautious wait and see approach which then gives players less time to recover from surgery if they end up needing it (JPP’s back surgery in June last year certainly had an impact on his poor season). Wilson has been injured since week five, and I wonder if it would have been better for him to have the surgery earlier, rather than later. Even Reese himself didn’t seem very hopeful about the medical staff’s optimistic time table for Wilson’s recovery stating, “Our medical staff feels like he’ll be ready to play this fall, but the neck and back are pretty tricky. So you never know.”

Either way, with David Wilson’s uncertainty and Andre Brown’s impending free agency, look for the Giants to take a hard look at some runningbacks in May’s draft. Some players to keep an eye out for the mid to late rounds are Terrance West, Towson, and Storm Johnson, UCF.

Here’s to wishing David a speedy and successful recovery.