Bulging disc sidelines Giants' Pierce indefinitely
Has Antonio Pierce played his last game with the Giants? He is sidelined indefinitely with a bulging disc.
Antonio Pierce
Nov. 8: Chargers 21, Giants 20
Tom Coughlin responded with a joke Friday when he was asked about having all 53 of his players healthy this week. "So far," he said. "We haven't showered yet."
That chuckle turned out to be prophetic, and ultimately no laughing matter for the Giants. After complaining of discomfort in his neck after the workout, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce was sent for an MRI that revealed a bulging disc. He will be sidelined indefinitely.
With one season left on his contract and no extension in sight, plus several young middle linebackers already on the roster, Pierce, who turned 31 last month, may have played his last game for the Giants.
A source familiar with the diagnosis said Pierce likely will miss up to six weeks. Seven weeks remain in the regular season.
"I'm shocked with what I heard from the doctors this afternoon," said Pierce, who practiced and did not appear on the injury report the Giants filed early in the afternoon.
Pierce suffered a neck injury the Giants called a "burner" against the Cardinals on Oct. 25 and had very little pain from that injury until this week. After discussing his discomfort with the team's medical staff, Pierce had the MRI.
"I had no idea that what happened a few weeks ago could keep me off the field," Pierce said. "I didn't think it was that serious. I'm going to do everything the doctors tell me to do so I can get back out on the field as soon as possible."
According to the source, the Giants will see if Pierce's disc heals without the stress of football in the next month or so before deciding on a course of action.
Most bulging discs are treated with non-surgical methods such as painkillers, but in the case of a football player, the bulge likely will need to be repaired, not merely masked. A bulging disc can lead to a more serious herniated disc - in which the walls of the disc become fragile - or ultimately a ruptured disc.
Former Jet and current Browns linebacker Eric Barton was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck this month and wound up on injured reserve. He is contemplating surgery.
Pierce likely will be replaced Sunday by Chase Blackburn, who filled in on the weak side when Michael Boley was out after his knee surgery. Blackburn has started in place of Pierce three times in the last four-plus seasons.
