David Wilson left New York Giants practice today with what head coach Tom Coughlin described as a "neck burner." That is a potentially serious setback for the running back, who had spinal fusion surgery in the offseason to repair a herniated disc in his neck.
"We were all praying that it (Wilson's neck) would be not an issue," Coughlin said. "We'll see. I'm not going to speculate what it is and see what the doctors say."
Wilson was sent to the Hospital For Special Surgery for tests on his neck. He was injured when he caught a shovel pass from Curtis Painter, turned upfield with his head down and ran into the back of guard Eric Herman. Wilson was surrounded by several defensive players, ended up losing the football to Mark Herzlich and was immediately attended to by trainers. Wilson was later seen walking off the field to go inside before practice ended.
Wilson, the 2012 first-round pick, played in only five games last season before being sidelined by the neck injury that eventually required surgery.
He was cleared for full contact when the Giants reported for training camp last week.