New York: New York Giants star defender Jason Pierre-Paul had a finger amputated following a July 4 fireworks accident, which left him with severe injuries, ESPN reported on Wednesday.
The network cited medical records as saying Pierre-Paul had his right index finger removed as a result of the mishap in Florida on Saturday.
The 26-year-old also underwent skin grafts according to the records cited by ESPN. Previous reports had said the injuries were not expected to threaten the pass-rush specialist’s career.
Pierre-Paul posted two videos to his Instagram account on Saturday that appeared to show him next to a van full of fireworks obtained for holiday celebrations.
USA Today reported on Wednesday that a delegation of team officials had traveled to Miami to see Pierre-Paul in hospital but had returned from Florida without meeting him.
The accident was one of two involving fireworks and National Football League players over the July 4 holiday weekend.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson also lost two fingers on his hand during a firework accident, his father Curtis Wilson Sr. told WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 25-year-old Wilson was at his home in Lincolnton celebrating the American national holiday with family and friends when the accident took place.
“We are aware that C.J. was involved in an accident that occurred over the July 4th holiday,” a spokesman for the NFL team said on Wednesday.
“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.”
Wilson’s agent, Joel Turner, declined to go into details of the injury.
“As we are dealing with a medical issue, we are in contact with the ball club as well, and they are taking the lead on any information to the public regarding his condition,” Turner told Pro Football Talk.
The Tampa Bay Tribune reported that Wilson’s NFL future may be in jeopardy because of “a severe hand injury.”
Wilson was acquired by Tampa Bay last year and was scheduled to begin training camp with the team in August. He appeared in two games with the Bucs last year and played mainly on special teams.
