National Football League

Giants clear Kiwanuka to return to play

Published Feb. 26, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Hours after general manager Jerry Reese said at the scouting combine that defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka's future was still in doubt because of his neck injury, the New York Giants released a statement saying he has been cleared by the team's medical staff.

"After I spoke to the media this morning at the Combine, I had a conversation with (VP of Medical Services) Ronnie Barnes, who confirmed for me that last night we did receive the final written evaluation that gives Mathias medical clearance to return to the field," Reese said in the statement.

"The consensus of all of the spine physicians and Dr. (Russ) Warren is that it is safe for Mathias to return to play. I have talked to Mathias and he is fully committed to returning to football."

Earlier Friday, Reese told the media at the combine that while the team was "getting good reports" on Kiwanuka, he wasn't out of the woods in terms of medical evaluations.

Kiwanuka is one of 20 Giants whose contracts expire March 3, and while Reese expects him to play again, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to neck injuries.

"It's a possibility. Who knows?" Reese said in the morning when asked if Kiwanuka's career was potentially in jeopardy. "When you talk about neck injuries, Antonio Pierce, he had a neck injury and boom it was over just like that. Neck injuries are serious injuries and you have to be careful."

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League