NFL notes: Giants’ David Wilson accepts retirement
David Wilson said he had ‘tears of joy’ as he thanked the Giants on Wednesday, two days after doctors told the third-year running back that he could no longer play football.
Wilson made sure that everyone knew that he wasn’t sad about his forced retirement.
“These are tears of joy,” Wilson said. “Don’t think I’m sad. There’s no need to dwell on the negative, because if you do, then you feel sorry for yourself and you’re not living. I’m still healthy. I’ll still be able to do the things that I could always do, except play football.”
Wilson, the Giants’ first-round selection of the 2012 draft out of Virginia Tech, had a solid rookie season. He led the NFL in kickoff return yardage, earning 1,533 yards, setting a Giants record.
Wilson played in only five games last season before suffering the serious neck injury last October and underwent spinal fusion surgery to repair vertebrae and a herniated disc in his neck in January.
Last Tuesday, Wilson caught a pass during a drill, put his head down and ran into the back of an offensive lineman. That hit caused numbness in his hands and lower extremities.
Giants team doctors and the spinal specialist that operated on Wilson in January both agreed that it would be best for Wilson to step away from the game.
Bears add former Eagle
A day after losing former WSU wide receiver Marquess Wilson to a fractured clavicle, the Chicago Bears signed former Eastern Washington receiver Greg Herd.
Wilson underwent surgery, but the timetable on his return is unknown. Herd spent time at the Cowboys and Seahawks camps last year.
Around the league
Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will start over rookie Johnny Manziel in the exhibition opener at Detroit. … Running back Knowshon Moreno has been activated by the Dolphins after recovering from a left knee injury. … Arizona tight end Jake Ballard has announced his retirement from the NFL. … The Pro Football Hall of Fame is adding a contributor category for nomination next year. … Rams left tackle Jake Long, who is healing from an ACL injury, will not play in Friday’s game against the Saints.