The Giants have released middle linebacker Antonio Pierce. The Giants were likely weary of Pierce’s injury status and his age.

Pierce, 32, missed the final month due to a bulging disk. Pierce is up-beat and insists that he will play again next season. He says he is “doing great, feeling great. Looking forward to endless possibilities.”

But he also insisted he could play when doctors told him that even without pain, the disk presented a serious risk. Absence of pain does not equal fit to play. At least he has a long off-season to treat the bulge.

The Giants had been grooming Jonathan Goff to be Pierce’s replacement, but it is unclear if they released Pierce because they thought Goff was ready.