The Giants had their best rushing game of the season on Thursday night despite running back David Wilson’s absence from the lineup because of a neck injury.
That’s a good thing for the team because doubt is starting to grow about Wilson’s chances of returning again this season. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports that Wilson said Friday that he has been told by doctors that he is suffering from spinal stenosis. The condition is a narrowing of the spine which can put pressure on nerves and can cause the tingling feeling that coach Tom Coughlin said Wilson felt when he was injured in Week Five.
Wilson said he fears that the injury could be season-ending, but it could be worse than that if he is in fact diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Former Redskins tackle Chris Samuels’ career ended when he suffered a neck injury that doctors feel was related to the condition, as did the collegiate career of Cooper Manning and many others. Steelers rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones got the same diagnosis early in his college career at USC, leading him to transfer to Georgia and later get a clean bill of health.
Wilson is getting more opinions on his condition, so it is too soon to speculate about what any of this might mean. For now, though, it looks like Brandon Jacobs will remain the top dog in the Giants backfield.