Mathias Kiwanuka has been medically cleared to resume his football career, according to Giants general manager Jerry Reese. In a statement released by the team Saturday afternoon, Reese says the team received "final written evaluation" Friday evening that gave Kiwanuka clearance to return. Reese said he spoke with the defensive end, who plans on resuming his career after suffering a herniated disk in his neck that kept him out of all but the first three games last season. "We did receive the final written evaluation that gives Mathias medical clearance to return to the field," Reese says in the statement. "The consensus of all of the spine physicians and Dr. [Russ] Warren is that it is safe for Mathias to return to play. I have talked to Mathias and he is fully committed to returning to football."

Texans running back Arian Foster, who led the NFL is rushing last season, has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, according to a report. The procedure was deemed "minor" and Foster was walking afterwards. Foster rushed for 1,616 yards in his first full season starting for the Texans.

Eagles right tackle Winston Justice is scheduled to undergo left knee surgery Tuesday, according to The Wilmington News Journal. The surgery, to be performed by renowned Birmingham-based surgeon Dr. James Andrews, will treat a bone chip in Justice's knee, which forced him to miss three games in December. The News Journal reports that Justice could require more severe microfracture surgery, but CSNPhilly.com cites a high-ranking team source as saying the procedure is a routine arthroscopic surgery to clean out the knee. The source says there's "absolutely no reason" to believe Justice is suffering from a career-threatening injury.

Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez underwent surgery on his right hip after the 2010 season, according to a report by The Hartford Courant. Hernandez, a 2010 fourth-round draft choice, had missed the final two regular-season games with the hip injury. He finished with 45 receptions for 563 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season.

Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks has been released from the hospital, nearly a week after a stabbing that left him with a collapse lung. Banks' agent, James Gould, said Friday that a tube in Banks' left lung has been removed and that the lung is now inflated. He said Banks should be able to resume normal activities in three to four weeks.

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw underwent surgery on his left ankle over the weekend. The procedure was done to clean out Bradshaw's ankle. On Sunday, he tweeted, "everything went great thanks for the well wishes!" The running back said his left ankle bothered him during the season. He underwent the same surgery to his right ankle in addition to surgeries on both of his feet last year. "It was something that bothered me," Bradshaw told reporters in Dallas during Super Bowl week of his left ankle. "It wasn't a big factor unless someone really got a hold of it. It was really no problem because I could fight through it and I'd been fighting through it for years. I'm just ready to get it fixed." His contract is up, but he wants to return to the Giants.

Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas underwent surgery Monday on his torn Achilles' tendon, an injury he sustained during offseason workouts last week. His recovery will take at least six months and, depending on the severity of the injury, he could miss all of next season. "Heading to surgery this morning.. everyone keep me in prAyers that it goes well," Thomas tweeted Monday morning.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison is set to undergo surgery on his right shoulder on Monday. "Should only be down 4 to 6 weeks," Harrison tweeted Friday. Harrison injured the shoulder in Pittsburgh's AFC Divisional playoff win over Baltimore, but played in Super Bowl XLV, recording one tackle and a sack in the 31-25 loss to Green Bay.

Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas tore an Achilles' tendon during an offseason workout in Atlanta. The injury comes a week after Eddie Royal had hip surgery that could sideline him until the summer. Thomas, the first receiver drafted last April, is expected to miss six to eight months. "I have no doubt that Demaryius will overcome this setback," Broncos coach John Fox said in a statement. "He's proven he can handle adversity and will get through this. We look forward to getting Demaryius back on the field as soon as possible."

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will have surgeries on his left knee and left thumb this week, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Ward has cartilage damage in the knee, an injury he battled since training camp. He also sustained a torn ligament in the left thumb throwing a block during a Week 2 game against the Titans.