Kiwanuka more optimistic than coach about injury

Mathias Kiwanuka will have a second medical opinion on the bulging disc in his neck today. If he wanted a second opinion on his optimism, Tom Coughlin provided that yesterday.

"I think it's great the attitude that he's taken," a skeptical-sounding Coughlin said of postgame comments by Kiwanuka that he is in line for a speedy return, possibly even in the next few days. "[But] it's going to be the doctors that determine it."

The Giants learned of Kiwanuka's condition Friday afternoon after their final full practice, so there needed to be adjustments to the game plan.

"There were a couple of packages that were pretty unique to Kiwi," Coughlin said. "In some cases where we wanted to make sure that the package stayed alive, we reduced the inventory and just taught one or two things with another individual."

Kiwanuka complained of a sore neck Thursday and had an MRI that afternoon. He practiced Friday, then went for a CT scan and an examination by spine specialist Dr. Frank Camissa. He was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Bears and the Giants are monitoring his condition while he avoids contact with his head and neck.

"There's legitimate hope for next week, based on what people have told me," Kiwanuka said Sunday night. "I haven't seen all the doctors yet, but between that and how I feel, I feel like I could play."