Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ star C.J. Wilson loses two fingers in Fourth of July accident
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ star C.J. Wilson loses two fingers in Fourth of July accident
The hand injury suffered by Tampa Bay Buccaneers player C.J. Wilson during a fireworks accident last weekend is said to be more significant than first believed.
The cornerback has actually lost two of his fingers, according to reports.
The 25-year-old was celebrating the holiday with family and friends at a house in Lincolnton, North Carolina, when the incident occurred, the Lincoln Times-News reported.
Giants defensive Jason Pierre-Paul also injured his hand in a separate fireworks mishap on Saturday.
The Buchaneers have released a statement about Wilson’s situation, however they glazed over the severity of the injury.
‘We are aware that C.J. was involved in an accident that occurred over the July 4th holiday,’ the team said in a statement.
‘It is our understanding that the injury occurred to one of his hands, and our primary concern at this moment is for his long-term health.
‘We have been in contact with C.J. and are continuing to monitor the situation.’
If Wilson has lost two digits, his career could be in jeopardy.
Wilson’s high school football coach told The Tampa Bay Tribune that he had spoken to Wilson and believed he would get out of hospital on Wednesday.
‘I talked to him on Monday and he has a very positive spirit,’ Scott Cloninger, former coach at Lincolnton High School, told the newspaper.
‘His comment was, he’s going to fight through this and get back to Tampa Bay and continue his career.’
Wilson is in the final season of his two-year deal with the Buchaneers, worth $1.08 million.
He has a non-guaranteed base salary of $585,000 for the 2015 season.
The newspaper also reported that the Buchaneers have the option to put Wilson on the non-football injury list, which is designated for players who are unable to play or practice as a result of non-football related injuries.
However, players on that list still count against the team’s roster, so Wilson could be let go in order to bring in another player.
New York Giants star Jason Pierre-Paul suffered flesh and nerve damage over the holiday weekend in Florida.
According to the New York Times, Pierre-Paul is at Broward Health North.
The newspaper noted that Pierre has still not signed a $14.8 million contract, because he is looking for a different contract.
