Oct 022010
 

Mathias Kiwanuka Out for Unknown Time Period:DE Mathias Kiwanuka practiced all week, including yesterday, but it was revealed late yesterday afternoon that he has been diagnosed with a bulging cervical disc in his neck. Kiwanuka will not play against the Bears on Sunday night.

Kiwanuka apparently has been bothered by a sore neck. An MRI was taken on his neck Thursday night and a CAT scan after practice yesterday.

According to the team, based on the initial examination and tests, it is unclear when and how Kiwanuka suffered the injury. Kiwanuka has been told to avoid contact with his head and neck while team physicians monitor the injury. Officially, the Giants are saying there is no timetable for Kiwanuka’s return. Recovery time for this type of injury varies from case to case, as does the treatment.

ESPN is reporting that undisclosed sources say the Giants are “bracing” for bad news, with Kiwanuka being out 2-3 months. This obviously would put his season at risk. A similar injury ended LB Antonio Pierce’s season in 2009.

“It’s disappointing,” said Kiwanuka. “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. I have full trust in the medical staff and the trainers at the Giants. I’m going to do everything that is asked of me so when I’m cleared I’ll be back and ready to go.”

“Obviously, Kiwi is a big part of our plans,” Head Coach Tom Coughlin said. “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. So now we have to regroup and try to figure out how we’re going to utilize our personnel for this (upcoming) game.”

“It surprised me, because he had a tremendous week of preparation,” said DT Chris Canty. “Not to have him there is going to be a tremendous blow.”

October 1, 2010 New York Giants Injury Report: Not practicing yesterday were OC Shaun O’Hara (ankle/Achilles), OT Will Beatty (foot), DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), and LB Keith Bulluck (toe).

Aside from DE Mathias Kiwanuka and Beatty, O’Hara has also been ruled out of the game. “We’re just trying to figure out how we can control this – how we can keep this issue from reoccurring,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin regarding O’Hara’s injury. “He’s been pushing through it. That’s how he got into the difficulty that he got into…Yeah (it is tendonosis). That’s what it is.”

Bulluck is listed as “doubtful” for the game against the Bears on Sunday night. If he cannot play, Clint Sintim will start in his place.

Umenyiora is officially listed as “questionable” for the game. “(Umenyiora) got some swelling, so we decided to do the smart thing,” said  Coughlin. “I would fully expect Osi to play.”

DT Rocky Bernard (back) practiced on a limited basis and is listed as “questionable” for the game.

WR Mario Manningham (concussion), returner Darius Reynaud (illness), LB Chase Blackburn (knee), and LB Phillip Dillard (hamstring) fully practiced and are “probable” for the game on Sunday night.

Article on LB Clint Sintim: Giants’ Clint Sintim Could Start Against Bears as Keith Bulluck Struggles with Turf Toe by Zach Berman of The Star-Ledger

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Eric Kennedy

Eric Kennedy is Editor-in-Chief of BigBlueInteractive.com, a publication of Big Blue Interactive, LLC. Follow @BigBlueInteract on Twitter.

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