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With Ahmad Bradshaw ruled out due to injury, David Wilson received the first start of his rookie season on Sunday in Atlanta. The Giants’ first-round draft choice showed he was ready, coming off a breakout performance in which he became the first player in NFL history to have at least 100 rush yards and 200 kick return yards in a single game.

While he wouldn’t break any returns against the Falcons, Wilson found success in the run game, at least early on. Wilson quickly gained 47 yards on six carries in the first quarter, including a 25-yard run on third-and-short.

But as the Giants fell out of sync, so did Wilson. He had just six carries for eight yards the rest of the game.

“I think the whole team is disappointed in the way we played today – struggling on offense, struggling to move the ball, giving the defense short fields to defend,” said Wilson, finishing with 12 carries for 55 yards. “You just have to execute. In games like this narrowing down to the end of the season, you’ve got to out there and execute and get a rhythm on offense and get things started.” Meanwhile, newcomer Kregg Lumpkin provided a change of pace and had nine attempts for 42 yards with a long of 22. However, he fumbled on the Giants’ final possession, making that three turnovers on the day for the team.

After the game, Wilson was asked what he learned following his first time in the starting lineup.

“I just think the way this game started – you’ve got to be a spark,” Wilson said. “I’m on kick return, and I can be a spark for the team, and I didn’t get past the 20. Then we gave the ball up on offense two plays later. So just the way it started, I think you want to come out and get a good start in every game and let it give the whole team a good feeling about what’s about to happen.”