David Wilson (neck) will undergo an MRI next Wednesday, and is hoping to be cleared for contact.

David Wilson (neck) is participating in Giants OTAs Wednesday.

These are non-contact sessions, but Wilson looked good while taking handoffs and getting upfield. It confirms that he's indeed on track to resume his career. Both Wilson and the Giants expect doctors to sign off for full-contact clearance ahead of training camp, leaving him with an early-down change-of-pace role at worst. Wilson has the natural running talent to forge something more.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, "no one knows" if David Wilson (neck) will play football again.

Graziano concedes "indications are" that Wilson will receive clearance, but the Giants are operating as if he may not, drafting Andre Williams in the fourth round, signing Rashad Jennings, and re-signing Peyton Hillis. If Wilson does return, he's expected to fit in as a change-of-pace back, not the Giants' starter.

GM Jerry Reese expects David Wilson (neck) to be cleared for contact by the start of training camp.

GM Jerry Reese said RB David Wilson (neck) remains on schedule to be back this season.

In the same breath, Reese stated that Wilson's potential return would be a "bonus." It means nothing has changed: The Giants are hoping Wilson gains medical clearance, but it's far from a sure thing. They've already protected themselves by adding reliable Rashad Jennings as a potential three-down workhorse.

David Wilson (neck) said he expects to be cleared for OTAs.

"For sure," Wilson said. "I expect to. I want to." Wilson feels no pain in his surgically-repaired neck and never has, but we won't find out if he'll be cleared until doctors take another look at his X-rays. Last week, ESPN New York reported the Giants were "hearing good things" on Wilson. He wants to play and has no intention of retiring. It's all in the hands of the medical people.

ESPN New York reports the Giants are "hearing good things" about David Wilson's recovery from neck surgery.

Wilson has made good progress this offseason, but there's still some uncertainty regarding his 2014 status. If he gains clearance, Wilson could benefit from a change-of-pace role behind Rashad Jennings that allows him to stay healthy and do less blocking. A 2012 first-round pick, Wilson was averaging 4.4 yards-per-attempt on 115 carries in two seasons prior to his neck injury.

Speaking Thursday, Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed he's "counting on" David Wilson (neck surgery) for 2014.

Coughlin stopped short of guaranteeing Wilson would be ready for the season, however. "All in due time with David," Coughlin said. "'m counting on him, but I am not going to put him in any circumstance until it's an absolute that he's 100 percent." The G-Men are cautiously optimistic about Wilson's status, but aren't planning on him being their feature back. Rashad Jennings is in the driver's seat for No. 1 duties, with Wilson trending toward a change-of-pace role if he can gain clearance.

Coach Tom Coughlin suggested that David Wilson (neck surgery) may return in a "different capacity."

New Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said pass protection is his No. 1 priority in a running back.

"At the end of the day, if they can't protect the quarterback, they're going to have a hard time getting on the field," McAdoo said. Pass pro and ball security have always been high priorities under the Tom Coughlin regime, and that won't change with McAdoo replacing Kevin Gilbride. It's not the best news for David Wilson, who has often struggled in blitz pickup.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin believes whether or not David Wilson (neck surgery) is ready for training camp "has a lot to do with his attitude.

Sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter that David Wilson (neck surgery) is ahead of schedule and expected to be ready for training camp.

We're talking about the spinal fusion surgery here, so nothing is guaranteed and the Giants are merely "hopeful." But the reports coming out of New York just one month following the procedure continue to be glowing. ESPN New York previously reported that Wilson has already begun weightlifting and working out, adding that there's no reason to believe the 22-year-old won't be playing in 2014. His Dynasty stock is back on the rise in a big way as a gifted natural runner with take it to the house upside on every carry. Andre Brown is a free agent.

A source close to the situation told ESPN Giants reporter Dan Graziano that David Wilson's neck surgery is going "very well," and Wilson has already begun weightlifting and working out.

The source told Graziano there's "no reason to believe (Wilson) won't be playing" in 2014. Still just 22 years old, Wilson underwent "fusion of the vertebrae" to repair his herniated disc on January 16. The Giants are still likely to approach their offseason as if anything Wilson provides in 2014 will be a bonus. Re-signing free agent Andre Brown may be GM Jerry Reese's first order of business. Brown won't be expensive to keep.

David Wilson revealed on Twitter Thursday that he's out of his neck brace.

Wilson underwent surgery on January 16. The Giants have spoken of their 2012 first-round pick as if Wilson's 2014 availability will be a bonus. We expect them to pursue re-signing Andre Brown or perhaps free agent James Starks, who played in Green Bay with new Giants OC Ben McAdoo. Wilson is a hold in Dynasty leagues, but his 2014 re-draft value is entirely up in the air.

Giants GM Jerry Reese won't guarantee that David Wilson (neck surgery) will be ready for 2014.

"I don't think so," Reese said when asked if the Giants could count on Wilson's health for next season. "No. 1: We just want David to get healthy. If he gets healthy, that's a bonus. But I don't think we can go into next season saying `David will be ready to go. He'll be our No. 1 back.' Necks can be tricky. You have to be careful with those things." Reese had previously suggested Wilson could be ready for the "fall" even if he went under the knife. We're unlikely to get a great sense of Wilson's status before training camp.

David Wilson's neck surgery will take place on January 16.

Speaking in a Thursday radio interview, Giants GM Jerry Reese revealed David Wilson will undergo surgery on his neck.

Giants GM Jerry Reese admitted that he won't be counting on having David Wilson (neck) as his 2014 starting running back.

Wilson has a herniated disc in his neck and spinal stenosis, and may end up undergoing surgery at some point this offseason. "I don't think you go into the next season saying David Wilson's going to be our No. 1 starting running back," Reese said. "The guy is coming off of a neck surgery, if he decides to have it." Wilson is expected to be able to play in 2014 even if he has the surgery, but it's such a scary situation for a player at a position that takes so many hits during the course of a game. "I think we'll have to have some contingency plans at the running back position," Reese added. Andre Brown is an unrestricted free agent.

Speaking Monday, Giants GM Jerry Reese admitted that David Wilson may require neck surgery, but that "doctors think they can fix that, and he'll be able to play (in 2014)."

According to the New York Daily News, there are "some people" who think David Wilson (neck) should never play football again.