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David Wilson eager to get back on field without restrictions – Metro US

David Wilson eager to get back on field without restrictions

David Wilson David Wilson was out most of last season and now has competition from Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams.
Credit: Getty Images

Quarterback Eli Manning wasn’t the only banged-up Giant who made a return to the field this week.

Running back David Wilson, who missed most of last season with a neck injury that required offseason surgery, was also at the practice, working on special teams and in some offensive drills. Wilson, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve after the Week 5 matchup with the Eagles, said while he has “no new information” about his neck, he “feels great.”

The chiseled Wilson declared himself “ready to go, ready to play” and said if not for a “piece of paper [the MRI]” holding him back, he looks and feels the same as he did pre-injury.

Wilson’s next big hurdle is on June 4 when he goes for another MRI.

The running back still has his sense of humor though. When asked about the MRI coming up with possible bad news, Wilson cracked he would get on the field another way.

“I’m just looking forward to getting back on the field [but] I’ll start kicking field goals [if the MRI still says no contact],” Wilson joked.

Wilson said once he’s cleared for contact he won’t be overly cautious, because injuries happen when a player plays too tentatively.

“You can’t focus on that [too cautious],” Wilson said. “You just gotta play.”

When asked if he sees the additions of Rashad Jennings and rookie Andre Williams as a threat to his job security, Wilson said he doesn’t see them that way, as he harkened to last season when the running back stable was decimated by injuries.

“Whatever the coaches ask me to do, I’ll do,” Wilson said. “We all have to get in where we fit in.”

Big Blue notes …

»Guard Chris Snee, who spent most of last season on injured reserve because of numerous maladies, was also seen working out with the first team at his customary right guard spot.

»Rounding out the revamped offensive line were new acquisition Geoff Schwartz at left guard, free-agent pickup J.D. Walton at center, second-year right tackle Justin Pugh and veteran James Brewer at left tackle. Brewer isn’t the customary left tackle, as he was sitting in for Will Beatty, who is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered in the 2013 regular-season finale.

»Neither Beatty (rehabilitating a Dec. 29, 2013 leg fracture) nor wide receiver Mario Manningham (knee) has participated so far in the offseason workouts. When asked about their progress, Coughlin said, “Supposedly they’ll be ready for the fall.”

»Offensive lineman John Jerry, one of the many veteran free agents signed by the Giants, is sidelined after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Coughlin said it’s a process in getting Jerry ready for training camp.

“He’s had a knee [injury]. He comes out here and then the knee swells,”Coughlin said.“We’ll hold him inside until he’s ready. He had a little procedure [debridement of the knee], a ‘scope, so he might not work this spring. But he’s here.”

»Safety Stevie Brown on returning from his ACL injury: “I’ve felt good [since] the end of rehab. … I may be limited in mind but not in body.”

Brown said he’s ready to get back to work and feels no ill effects on the knee. He added he has no expectations about being given his old starting position alongside Antrel Rolle.

“I don’t expect anything,”Brown said.“This is where I want to be, but wherever I fall on the depth chart is where it is.”

When asked about his free agency experience, Brown said there were other teams that reached out to him, but he “always wanted to be here all along,” especially once he got the offer he was looking for from the Giants.

»Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said he’s “100 percent” and “can’t wait to get the pads back on.” Pierre-Paul said while he knows there’s no contact allowed right now, it still won’t deter him from going all-out, adding he “won’t be taking it easy out there just because it’s OTAs. … If a guy isn’t going full speed or as hard as I am, that’s on him.”

Pierre-Paul said he’s back to a great playing weight of 275 pounds and he’s “feeling great … nothing is bothering me.”

As one of the more veteran guys on the defensive line, Pierre-Paul said he’s been trying to pass down his wisdom to the younger players and new teammates. One guy he’s taken under his wing is second-year defensive end Damontre Moore.

“Hopefully this will be a breakout season,”Pierre-Paul said. “He’s asking more questions and taking things more seriously.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.