Earlier this week, New York Giants defensive end/linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka visited Dr. Robert Watkins, a back/spine specialist based in Los Angeles, for a follow-up examination on the bulging disk in his neck.

Kiwanuka returned from the visit with no clearer picture for when he'll be able to return to practice, Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger reports.

"I don’t think anything has changed," Giants head ccoach Tom Coughlin said during his Thursday morning press conference. "I don’t have anything at this point to tell you other than he traveled to L.A., he came back and (from) the information I get, there is no change."

Kiwanuka had four of the Giants' six quarterback sacks during the first three weeks of the season. After losing their top pass-rusher, the Giants' pass-rush has actually flourished, reaching opposing quarterbacks 15 times over the last three weeks.

The assault has been led by Osi Umenyiora.

A perennial threat for double-digit sacks several years ago, Umenyiora missed all of 2008 with a knee injury and lost his starting job to Kiwanuka last season. Umenyiora responded poorly, stating that retirement was a more acceptable option than playing in a back-up role this season.

Since Kiwanuka's injury, Umenyiora has seven of his eight quarterback sacks on the season, ranking second in the NFL behind Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews and positioning himself for his first Pro Bowl since the 2007 season.