The New York Giants had mentally prepared themselves to go into the 2014 season without David Wilson. When the running back reported to training camp, things were looking up. Wilson believed he was healthy and ready for the year ahead. However, that changed few quickly when he suffered a burner on the first practice and now things are not looking so great. However, co-owner John Mara is not worried about the team moving forward, noting they were prepared to be without Wilson and that still stands whether he is on the field or not.
The reports surrounding Wilson's return are not positive. Wilson tweeted out that everything was fine, but NJ.com is reporting that Wilson essentially needs a "miracle" to return to the field in 2014. The running back is scheduled to undergo a consultation on Monday to determine the severity of the "burner" but the fact that the injury happened so quickly into camp does not bode well for Wilson's 2014 and thereafter.
In two seasons with the Giants, Wilson has 504 yards and five touchdowns. New York was hoping he could return as their lightning fast weapon on offense while making an impact in the passing game, but that has yet to pan out. Now it will be up to Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams to step up and fill the void. According to Mara, the Giants were prepared for Wilson's absence and have full confidence in their current roster of running backs.
"I think given what he went through, the surgery he went through, it would have been foolish not to be [prepared]," Mara said on ESPN Radio, via the Newark Star-Ledger. "We signed Rashad Jennings, we drafted Andre Williams, we signed Peyton Hillis again, so we do have some depth there. We have Michael Cox there, so someone is going to have to step up and do it now. Rashad Jennings is a good NFL running back and Peyton Hillis has been a good NFL running back and we've got some good young guys behind them, so we do have some depth."
Right now, NFL.com is reporting that Jennings will likely be the starting running back heading into the preseason and Week 1, but Williams is expected to make an immediate impact for the team. The rookie is coming off a Heisman-nominated season with Boston College. While Jennings is a versatile running back, Williams is a pure rusher, barely catching any passes while in college. The Giants need plenty of offensive playmakers that can do it all on the field. As long as Jennings stays healthy, he could become the team's x-factor.
Eli Manning certainly likes what he sees out of the running backs and the newly re-designed offense from coordinator Ben McAdoo. Manning believes improvement will come from all around as New York looks to bounce back from a down 2013.
"It's more precise," Manning said, via FOX Sports. "You have to rely on listening to your feet to tell you when to go to your next progression, when to run, when to extend the play. It's really listening to your feet to tell you what to do with the ball and where to go. ... I think it times up better on certain things. That's been a little bit of an adjustment, but I like it. It makes sense and I understand it."