Giants GM Jerry Reese acknowledged at the Combine that free agent DE Mathias Kiwanuka's career is in jeopardy following a season-ending neck injury.

"It's a possibility," said Reese. "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." A herniated disc in Kiwanuka's neck ended his 2010 season after three games. He avoided surgery, but there is plenty of doubt about his career. "If he gets cleared by doctors," added Reese, "I think he'll play."

Free agent DE Mathias Kiwanuka did not require surgery to repair the herniated disc in his neck.

Coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged that Kiwanuka has a ways to go to be medically cleared, but the "arrow (is) pointing in the right direction." Kiwi is a four-year vet, so the Giants could try slapping him with a restricted free agent tender. In all likelihood, though, he's going to be unrestricted.

Giants GM Jerry Reese suggested that the team may only offer impending free agent DE Mathias Kiwanuka a one-year deal this offseason.

According to Reese, the one-year offer would be "so that he can reestablish his value." The proposal makes sense, but if Kiwanuka hits the market he'll have plenty of suitors probably willing to go multiple years despite a season-ending neck injury. With 2010 first-round pick Jason Pierre-Paul clearly ready for a big role, Kiwi may have played his last snap as a Giant.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka, placed on injured reserve Thursday, expects to be ready for 2011 training camp regardless of whether his herniated disc requires surgery.

Kiwi believes he can avoid going under the knife. "The consensus is that if I take the proper amount of time off, there is a very good chance that it'll heal on its own," Kiwanuka said. "That's what the goal is right now." GM Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin both expressed interest in bringing the pending free agent back in 2011.

Giants placed DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) on injured reserve, ending his season.

"We exhausted all of our options," said GM Jerry Reese. "The doctors, the medical staff, they don't think it's in his best interest to play anytime during this season. We're hopeful that he'll be back next fall and playing for the New York Giants." The 27-year-old is scheduled to hit the free agent market with the herniated disc leaving his future in question. The Giants' front-seven has played surprisingly well without Kiwi over the past month.

The Giants are expected to place DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) on injured reserve.

He's dealt with herniated disk in his neck since after Week 3, and although he says doctors are "very optimistic" it will eventually heal, "it's just going to take time." It's a tough blow for the Giants and an even tougher one for Kiwanuka, who is in a contract year.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka revealed Thursday that the nagging pain in his neck is the result of a herniated disc.

"The difference between a bulge and a herniation is slight, but being that it is a herniation it is something that's a little more severe," Kiwanuka said. He still expects to play again this season, and he'll check back with his doctors in a couple of weeks to see if his condition has improved. There's no timetable for a return to game action.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Thursday that there is no change in the status of DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka (neck).

Kiwanuka received a second opinion on his neck Wednesday. The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch reports that in listening to Coughlin, he got the sense that the Giants did not get encouraging news from the doctor. His status is unclear, as it has been for weeks.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) said he should know by Wednesday if he can return to the field.

Kiwanuka will get a second opinion from neck specialist Dr. Robert Watkins Monday. "The pain is going away so I assume that's positive," said Kiwanuka, who has missed the last three games with a bulging cervical disk.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka will seek a second medical opinion this week from Dr. Robert Watkins.

Watkins is a spine specialist in Los Angeles. Kiwanuka still doesn't have a timetable to return, but he doesn't appear to be in danger of being placed on injured reserve. The Giants' pass rush, meanwhile, is holding up just fine. They knocked yet another quarterback (Shaun Hill) out of the game in Week 6. Osi Umenyiora racked up two sacks and forced two fumbles.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) says he's pain-free and hopes to "be back soon."

Kiwanuka received clearance to resume individual drills Wednesday, and he's hoping an MRI or CT scan will reveal the inflammation is gone. Coach Tom Coughlin won't put a timetable on Kiwanuka's return, but Kiwanuka is optimistic it'll be sooner rather than later.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) was able to do some individual drills in Wednesday's practice.

Coach Tom Coughlin has confirmed there's still no timetable for Kiwanuka's return, though. At this point we can only consider him week-to-week.

A second medical opinion on Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka's neck revealed nothing new.

Head coach Tom Coughlin did not provide a timetable for Kiwi's return. The Giants' pass rush was highly effective in Kiwi's absence, racking up 10 sacks against the Bears in Week 4.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka is seeking a second medical opinion Monday about the bulging disk in his neck.

Kiwi is shooting for a Week 5 return. While that's probably too optimistic, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Kiwanuka could resume playing this season "through injection to calm down the disk." The Giants obviously haven't played Kiwanuka on injured reserve, so they're hopeful as well.

Giants DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka will visit a neck specialist Monday for a second opinion and is hoping he'll be able to play in Week 5.

It seems unlikely given the previous report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the Giants are preparing to be without him for 2-3 months, but we'll know more about his condition after Monday's trip to the doctor. The Giants were able to register 10 sacks against the Bears in Week 4 without Kiwanuka.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the Giants are bracing for Mathias Kiwanuka (neck) to miss 2-3 months or perhaps more.

Kiwi is going for a second opinion "that could change that." The Giants have given no timetable for return. Kiwanuka reportedly woke up early Friday with stiffness and pain in the neck, and a CAT scan revealed the bulging disk. IDP leaguers can cut ties with him. He's a candidate for injured reserve.

The Giants have ruled out DE/LB Mathias Kiwanuka for Week 4 due to a bulging cervical disk in his neck.

Jay Cutler lucks out again. The Giants will be minus Kiwanuka, likely Keith Bulluck (doubtful, toe), and quite possibly Osi Umenyiora (questionable, knee). Down two of their top three pass rushers, New York's fantasy defense shouldn't be used against the Bears. Cutler looks like a much safer fantasy start.

Mathias Kiwanuka started Sunday's opener at strong-side linebacker and racked up four tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

Asked if he's been permanently moved to linebacker, Kiwanuka replied "Depends on what the day is. Today I was." Osi Umenyiora started on the line and had five tackles, a sack, and another forced fumble. It'd seem silly to mess with something that worked so well, so expect the alignment to continue.

Giants RE Mathias Kiwanuka has been impressive in run defense on the training camp practice field.

This is a key factor in New York's competition at right end, as Osi Umenyiora struggled in run defense last season. Though he's seen some action at outside linebacker in certain packages, Kiwanuka appears to own a sizable edge in the battle. Kiwi is on track to be an every-down player this season.

Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka took snaps at linebacker during Saturday practice.

The Giants tried this experiment in 2007. With the position again log jammed, the Giants will look to find Kiwi snaps at linebacker. Although he's stated he prefers defensive end, Kiwi seems content with helping out the team any way he can. "Once we get into camp it becomes about the team," Kiwanuka said. "If we have a better chance winning games with me back there (at linebacker), then I'll be there."