Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka ruled out of game against Bears with bulging cervical disc

Newark Star-Ledger—October 1, 2010

In a surprising announcement, Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka will not play Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a bulging cervical disc.

Kiwanuka visited team doctors on Thursday after feeling a stiff neck. An MRI was conducted and revealed a bulging disc. The team said Kiwanuka was cleared to return to practice Friday, provided he use his hands to prevent direct contact to his head.

Kiwanuka’s neck still felt stiff today, but he went through practice and intentionally avoided contact with the head and neck. After practice, Kiwanuka was sent to Hospital for Special Surgery for a CT scan. The results of that test, as well as a consultation between team physician Russ Warren and spine specialist Frank Camissa, both of Hospital for Special Surgery, resulted in the Giants' shutting down Kiwanuka for the foreseeable future.

It’s unclear how and when Kiwanuka suffered the injury. A team official said the initial prognosis includes avoiding contact with his head and neck, and physicians will monitor the disc. There is set timetable nor treatment for the injury.

“It's disappointing. It just feels like a stiff neck," Kiwanuka said in quotes released by the team. "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.

This story originally appeared on nj.com.