Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce will be sidelined indefinitely with a bulging disc in his neck, the National Football League team said.

Pierce was diagnosed yesterday after an MRI at a Manhattan hospital, the team said on its Web site.

Pierce, 31, was injured in the Giants’ game against Arizona on Oct. 25.

“I’m shocked with what I heard from the doctors this afternoon,” Pierce said yesterday in a statement. “I had no idea that what happened a few weeks ago could keep me off the field. I didn’t think it was that serious.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington at nkercheval@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 21, 2009 00:01 EST