Neck problems likely end career of Giants running back David Wilson

David Wilson is done with football for this season — and probably forever.

A leading spine surgeon has advised the New York Giants running back to give up football for good, the team announced Monday. The Giants have placed Wilson on injured reserve for the 2014 season.

Wilson, the team’s 2012 first-round pick out of Virginia Tech, was examined Monday with Dr. Russell Warren, team physician and former surgeon-in-chief for the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Dr. Frank Cammisa, chief of spine service at HSS.

In January, Wilson had a disc removed and a spinal fusion in his neck. He suffered a “burner” during a non-contact practice last week, and the Giants shut him down for a week.

“In light of last week’s episode of symptoms, sensory and motor, Frank and I both told David he should not play football any more,” Warren said in a written statement. “We let David know that by playing, he would be putting himself at risk for more episodes like last week or perhaps something more serious.”

Wilson played in five games last season before his year was cut short by the neck injury. The year before, as a rookie, he accounted for 1,925 all-purpose yards, the sixth-highest in team history.

“Growing up, ever since I was 8 years old, I wanted to play in the NFL,” said Wilson. “It was my dream. And I can’t say that I didn’t live my dream, because I did. I played for the New York Giants. I was a first-round draft choice of the New York Giants. I scored touchdowns. I caught touchdowns. I returned kicks for touchdowns and I set records. So I got to do some of the things I dreamed of doing all my life.”

Wilson said that his current condition will require no additional surgery or therapy.