subject: Mathias Kiwanuka out indefinitely [print this page] A team official said Kiwanuka initially complained of stiffness in his neck Thursday morning and was treated by Ronnie Barnes, the team's vice president of medical services. He practiced Thursday and underwent an MRI on Thursday night. Kiwanuka then practiced again Friday, and intentionally avoided contact with his head and neck during the morning session.
After Friday's practice, Kiwanuka went to the Hospital for Special Surgery for a CAT scan and was examined by Dr. Russell Warren. The doctor consulted with a spine specialist at the hospital and diagnosed Kiwanuka with the bulging disc.
It's unclear when Kiwanuka initially suffered the injury, but sources told ESPN.com senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the tests were alarming enough that the Giants are bracing for a worst-case scenario of Kiwanuka missing two to three months and perhaps the rest of the season. However, as both sides seek different mlb jerseys opinions, there also remains the best-case scenario that treatment, possibly through injection to calm down the disc, could allow for a return to action at some point, a source told Mortensen.
Team physicians will monitor Kiwanuka, and have advised him to avoid contact with his head and neck.
"It's disappointing," Kiwanuka said in a statement released by the team. "It just feels like a stiff neck. The pain is not intolerable but I want to make sure that I will be okay down the line."
Kiwanuka's injury brings to mind the neck ailment former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce suffered in 2009.
Pierce injured his neck Oct. 25 against the Cardinals and eventually was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck. Pierce initially was optimistic about returning to the field. But after seeking two medical opinions, the Giants opted to shut to Pierce down for the remainder of the nfl jersey season. Pierce said he would have needed surgery to keep playing and opted to retire after the season.
The team initially hoped Pierce's injury would heal with treatment and time away from the field. It seems the Giants are taking the same approach with Kiwanuka, whom they took in the first round of the 2006 draft.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin spoke about Kiwanuka's versatility Friday and said the team will have to regroup without the fifth-year player. Coughlin also acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting to life without Kiwanuka so late in the week.
"Obviously, Kiwi is a big part of our plans. He's had a very good season. He's very flexible. He's a versatile athlete who can be used in a lot of different ways," Coughlin said. "So now we have to regroup and try to figure mlb jerseysout how we're going to utilize our personnel for this game."
Osi Umenyiora is questionable for the Bears game after he sat out of Friday's practice with swelling in his right knee, but Coughlin said he expects Umenyiora to play. However, linebacker Keith Bulluck is listed as doubtful with turf toe.
