New York Giants Rumors: Larry Donnell Out For Season?
New York Giants Rumors: Is Larry Donnell’s Neck Injury Going To Keep Him Out The Remainder Of The Season?
The New York Giants have battled through a number of injuries this season. They have lost a number of important starters on both sides of the ball, and it looks like they could be adding another one to that list in the coming days.
Tight end Larry Donnell has missed the last two games with a neck injury, and has been ruled out for a third this weekend against the Washington Redskins. There is a chance that he is ruled out for longer than that, with his rest of season outlook being bleak.
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When talking to reporters on Friday, Donnell described his neck as broken, also adding, “It’s in pretty rough shape. It’s going to be a while before I can play again.” There has been no official diagnosis announced by the team, so everything being reported is speculation. NJ.com reports that he may have a small fracture in a bone in his neck, which makes the caution that the Giants are proceeding with understandable.
“There’s a chance I could play again this season, but this is not an arm, not a foot. This is my neck. I’ve broken arms, broken legs and I knew they were broken. This is a neck, so we just have to be really careful.”
Donnell has been told that he should not be concerned with long-term effects, as it is not a life threatening injury. It is one that will heal with time and not affect his life after football. But with the uncertainty surrounding him, the chances are high that he will be placed on injured-reserve and ending his season.
Tight end has already been hit hard by injuries this season, as Donnell’s backup Daniel Fells had a staph infection and was placed on IR earlier in the season. His football career is probably over, and his foot almost had to be amputated because of the infection. With him already sidelined, and Donnell not looking to be too far behind from joining him, the Giants tight end position is not looking strong.
Right now only rookie Will Tye and second-year tight end Jerome Cunningham are healthy at the position. They have rookie Matt LaCosse on on the practice squad, and could give him a promotion as the Giants normally hold at least three tight ends on the roster. They could also go the route of adding a veteran to try bring some leadership and experience to a position that is lacking it without their No.1 and No.2 options.
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Expect Donnell to be placed on injured reserve sooner than later, as a neck injury is nothing to take lightly. The side of caution is will probably be erred on, as they do not want to put Donnell’s career or life after football in jeopardy by rushing him back to the field.