Thursday, July 9, 2015

After New York Giants pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul who lost his right index finger, Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson lost two fingers in a Fourth of July fireworks accident

New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Buccaneers Getty Images
 A new report says the hand injury suffered by Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson in a Fourth of July fireworks accident was very serious.

The Lincoln Times-News in Wilson’s hometown of Lincolnton, North Carolina reports that Wilson lost two fingers in the accident. The report cites sources close to the family and says the incident occurred at home in Lincolnton, with family and close friends present.

Such an injury would be career-threatening for Wilson, a 25-year-old who has been in the NFL for two years. Wilson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State, played in 2013 for the Bears and then signed last year with the Bucs.

The Buccaneers have acknowledged they’re aware of the injury but have not released any details about Wilson’s condition. Wilson’s agent has likewise confirmed that he’s injured but declined to release any medical information.

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Bucs' C.J. Wilson injured in fireworks accident

By Marc Sessler  
 
Published: July 8, 2015 at 01:00 p.m.
 
New York Giants pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul wasn't the only NFL player to suffer a fireworks-related setback on the Fourth of July.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson also suffered a hand injury in a fireworks accident, his agent, Joel Turner, told NFL Media on Wednesday.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport later reported, per sources who have spoken with the player, that the injury is serious enough that Wilson's career might be in jeopardy. 

"His health is the focus now and will be for some time," Rapoport wrote on Twitter.

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune first reported the news.
"We are aware that C.J. was involved in an accident that occurred over the July 4th holiday," the Bucs 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."

An undrafted cover man out of N.C. State, Wilson, 25, played in two games with Tampa Bay last season after a pair of rookie appearances with the Chicago Bears in 2013. The undrafted cornerback spent most of last season on the practice squad before the Bucs promoted him to their active roster in December.

Holiday fireworks have served as a major subplot this week with Pierre-Paul still recovering in a Florida hospital after suffering a hand injury over the weekend while attempting to light fireworks.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Giants pulled a $60 million long-term deal off the table following JPP's mishap. As for Wilson, a fringe player, it's fair to wonder if he'll even make the roster.