Mathias Kiwanuka's NFL Career in Jeopardy

As of late February, New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka has still not been cleared to resume playing football. According to an ESPN.com story, it's possible that day will never come.

The story quotes team general manager Jerry Reese as saying "I don't think he is quite out of the woods yet with the doctors' investigation on the neck, but he has been getting good reports, so that is good for us." When asked if Kiwanuka may be forced to retire, Reese stated "it is a possibility. Who knows? When you are talking about neck injuries -- Antonio Pierce, he had a neck injury, boom, it was over just like that. So neck injuries are serious injuries and you have to be careful with those things. The No. 1 variable in the situation is, What are the doctors saying? Are you going to risk your health by playing football or are you going to be OK? I think that's what he is looking for and I think he is trying to get everybody to confirm that. He's been to a lot of doctors so we are hoping for the best."

Reese went on to say "I'm waiting for the doctors' report, everybody's report. And he's got to make a decision, Do I want to play? There's risk period. But when you have a neck injury, you have to be careful."

The injury to Kiwanuka's neck occurred sometime during the week 3 contest against Tennessee, and he missed the final 13 games of the 2010 NFL regular season. For what it's worth, Kiwanuka's contract with the Giants has expired. This doesn't mean anything at the moment, however, as the Giants aren't dealing with any contracts until the NFL labor dispute is settled.

One can't help but think of Lawrence Taylor's character in the movie Any Given Sunday when a player suffers this type of injury. I, like many Giants fans, would love to see Kiwanuka on the field in 2011; not if it means even slightly risking his health, though. The upcoming lockout should give Kiwanuka and his doctors the necessary time to determine the talented player's future.