Pierce, 31, missed the last two weeks with a bulging disc in his neck and was expected to miss at least four more. Though he said he felt fine, MRIs showed that it would be unsafe for him to play given his current status.
After being told he would miss several weeks, Pierce sought a second opinion from Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles. But Watkins agreed with the original assessment of Pierce's condition and recommended rest for the linebacker.
On Monday, prior to being placed on injured reserve, Pierce joined Mike Francesa on WFAN for his weekly spot, and sounded optimistic about a return this season.
"Hopefully in a couple of weeks, depending on what the team wants to do, I can go and get another MRI and see what happens," Pierce told Francesa.
Pierce has one year remaining on his contract with the Giants and would make $4.75 million in 2010. The development of 2008 fifth-round pick Jonathan Goff could play a role in determining whether the Giants keep Pierce next season or cut him.
