The Giants announced that MLB Antonio Pierce has been diagnosed with a bulging disc in his neck and will be sidelined indefinitely, according to the team's medical staff.

Pierce underwent an MRI Friday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, Chief of the Spinal Surgical Services at HSS.

The ninth-year veteran originally suffered a burner against the Cardinals on Oct. 25 and experienced very little discomfort until practice this week, at which point the team's medical staff scheduled the MRI.

"I'm shocked with what I heard from the doctors this afternoon," Pierce said Friday. "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. I'm going to do everything the doctors tell me to do so I can get back out on the field as soon as possible."

Pierce has started all nine games this season, making 55 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. It's likely that backup Chase Blackburn will start in Pierce's place against the Falcons Sunday. However, second-year pro Jonathan Goff is being groomed to be Pierce's long-term replacement and could see action, too.