One of the New York Giants best defensive players has suddenly been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Linebacker/defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka will not play because of abulging cervical disc, according to the Giants.

It's a remarkable turn of events, since Kiwanuka wasn't listed on an injury report distributed around 2 p.m. In fact, he fully participated in practice today, which means his injury was determined afterwards.

It's a huge blow to the Giants because Kiwanuka had four of the team's five sacks this season. As if that's not bad enough, Osi Umenyiora, who has the other sack, is listed as questionable with a knee injury.

Surely, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and his offensive line will feel a little more at ease, since the pass rush is the key to the Giants' defense.