A report Thursday by NJ.com cited a source familiar with Wilson's neck injury as saying the former first-round pick "needs a miracle" to resume playing. Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Running back David Wilson’s future with the New York Giants and in football is in doubt.
A report Thursday by NJ.com cited a source familiar with Wilson’s neck injury as saying the former first-round pick “needs a miracle” to resume playing.
Wilson suffered a burner — a nerve injury in the neck area — during Tuesday’s practice and will be shut down until at least Aug. 4, when he’ll consult Dr. Frank Cammissa, who performed his spinal fusion surgery on January 16.
Head coach Tom Coughlin was visibly shaken discussing Wilson after Tuesday’s injury, and said the team is praying for the best possible outcome. Wilson was cleared for contact July 21 after not participating in offseason workouts.
The potential long-term absence of Wilson opens a wider door for rookie Andre Williams to contribute.
Williams, drafted in the fourth round out of Boston College, has been mostly used as a short-yardage and goal line back with the Giants during preseason practices.
While the rookie wasn’t been known for his pass receiving skills in college, Giants running backs coach Craig Johnson said Williams has zeroed in on improving that aspect of the game.
“He definitely knew that was a problem he had to get better at coming out of Boston College, not having a lot of touches catching the ball. He has worked very hard at that and he is improving in that area,” Johnson said.
Another area in which Williams will have to adjust is in the reduction of carries he could potentially see per game.
In college, the 5-foot-11, 230-pound Williams averaged a little more than 27 touches per game as a senior, a year in which he rushed for 2,177 yards.
With the Giants, he will likely split the workload with projected starter Rashad Jennings and third-down back Peyton Hillis, which means he probably won’t see more than 15 carries per game.
Williams was asked if a potential reduction in his carries per game might affect his ability to get into a rhythm.
“I learn a lot from stepping back and just watching what other running backs are doing,” he said.
“I feel like I can fill in the role they want me to fill. At the same time I am young and I need to gain experience, and I think I can do a lot of that sitting back sometimes and letting the older guys show me how it’s done.”
