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Pierce vows to be back for 2010 with Giants

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Alex Marvez

Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He has covered the NFL for the past 17 seasons as a beat writer and is the former president of the Pro Football Writers of America. He also is a frequent host on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

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Updated Dec 1, 2009 3:53 PM ET
     
 
New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce's season is over, but his NFL career isn't. Pierce said Tuesday that he should be fully recovered from the bulging disc that landed him on injured reserve by mid-February. He also is optimistic about a return to the Giants in 2010. "I don't see why I wouldn't be there," Pierce said during a Sirius NFL Radio show co-hosted by me and retired NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer. "This was a season that got cut short by injury that shocked all of us — management, coaches and players. With everything I gave New York the past five years, I feel I'll be here." New York's leading tackler and defensive leader, Pierce said he was initially injured in Week 7 against Arizona. Pierce suffered a "stinger" as teammates piled on to help finish a tackle. He didn't miss a snap and played in the next two games against Philadelphia and San Diego. In a mid-November practice during New York's bye week, Pierce suffered another stinger when hit by an offensive lineman during a nine-on-seven drill being conducted in full pads. Pierce said he returned to the field after missing one play, but was told by team doctors to undergo a precautionary MRI exam. That test and a follow-up examination by spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles revealed a bulging disc that Pierce says is pressing "into my spinal cord and other areas where it can affect the nerve system." Pierce wouldn't offer any more specifics about the injury. Pierce said he initially wanted to pursue playing again this season because he isn't feeling any pain. Pierce, though, ultimately agreed with New York's decision Monday to place him on injured reserve. "Doctors told me just to rest," Pierce said. "There's no rehab, medication, injections or surgery. Surgery wasn't even an option. It's just not having contact with football. "It makes sense for the future. Looking at players in the past watching them go through the medical struggles they go through, this is the best thing to further my career and make sure when I walk away from this game I'm healthy."
In 2010, Pierce will be entering into the final season of a six-year, $26 million contract. He is slated to earn $4.75 million. Pierce's injury, age (31) and salary has raised media speculation about whether he may get released in the offseason. Pierce, though, said he isn't worried about such chatter. "With everything I gave New York the past five years, I feel I'll be here," said Pierce, who joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent from Washington in 2005. "If this is my last [season] in New York next year or this year, I've had a great run. I've been very happy and blessed to be with a Super Bowl champion, part of a Pro Bowl and the great players I've played with. I don't concern myself with that right now." Pierce is concerned with trying to help New York (6-5) end its recent skid entering Sunday's home game against Dallas (8-3). "I'll be on the sideline doing whatever I can," Pierce said. "I can't be there physically but my mind is a lot stronger than anything else going on for me right now." Pierce notched 489 tackles for the Giants in the past four-plus seasons and had missed only four starts prior to his disc injury. His spot in New York's starting lineup was taken by Chase Blackburn.

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