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The wait is over for David Wilson. The New York Giants' running back was cleared for contact Monday following an exam of his surgically-repaired neck, meaning he can fully participate when the Giants open training camp on Tuesday afternoon. Wilson took to social media to announce the news:
Just got cleared ..... #cleared for everything now the story continues #pocketrocket http://t.co/thjqbeLtfy
— David E. Wilson (@4stillRunning) July 21, 2014
The third-year running back has been impatiently awaiting clearance for months now. He had spinal fusion surgery in January to repair a herniated disc in his neck suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth game of the 2013 season. Wilson practiced throughout the spring, fielding kickoffs and punts and taking reps whenever the offense was running through plays without going up against the defense.
The Giants have been saying in recent weeks they expected Wilson would be cleared for camp. That has now come to fruition. You wonder if, privately, the excitable Wilson did a back flip when he got the news.
What role Wilson plays remains to be seen. The Giants have added free-agent signee Rashad Jennings and fourth-round draft pick Andre Williams to the backfield mix. Wilson, however, brings an element of pure speed and game-breaking ability no other Giants' back possesses. New offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, installing a West Coast-based offense which will likely be reliant on short, quick passes, will certainly look for ways to utilize Wilson.
Wilson, of course, has yet to live up to his status as a first-round pick. In 21 games over two seasons, Wilson has carried 115 times for 504 yards (4.4 yards per carry). He has also caught six passes. His greatest success has come returning kickoffs, where he has averaged 26.6 yards on 66 returns, including one for a touchdown.
How do you think the Giants will use Wilson? Will he end up surpassing Jennings, Williams and Peyton Hillis to become the primary back? Will he end up as a specialist, used perhaps as a situational back? Will he make his biggest impact on kickoff returns?
Let us know where you believe Wilson, now back in play for the Giants, fits in their backfield.