Two NFL Players Lose Fingers Due To Fireworks

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had his right index finger amputated Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Medical records show the procedure took place Wednesday afternoon.

One source characterized the timeline for Pierre-Paul's return as being "sooner than people think" and said he still is expected to play this season.

Pierre-Paul discussed his options with his medical team and family members, according to a source, and decided that the amputation was the best decision for his health and his career going forward.

Pierre-Paul also suffered fractures to his right thumb, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. Those are expected to take longer to heal than the wound from the site of his amputated right index finger. The source said the fractures might take six weeks while the site of the amputation should heal in approximately half that time.

The player has undergone numerous surgeries and is expected to remain hospitalized for two or three more days, the source said.

Pierre-Paul suffered injuries to both of his hands in an accident involving fireworks last weekend in South Florida, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

He was one of two NFL player to suffer injuries over the Fourth of July weekend as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson lost two fingers in another fireworks accident.

Team officials flew down to Florida to check on Pierre-Paul and try to determine how extensive his hand injuries were, but never made it out of the waiting room to see him, sources told Schefter.

Pierre-Paul, 26, enjoyed one of his best seasons as a pro in 2014 and the Giants used the franchise tag on him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson lost two fingers in a fireworks accident last weekend, his father told a Charlotte, North Carolina, television station.

Wilson's agent, Joel Turner, declined to discuss specifics of the injury and referred all further questions about Wilson's situation to the Buccaneers, but a team source told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder that the injury was "significant."

Curtis Wilson Sr., appearing on Charlotte's WBTV, said the fireworks did not pop out of the canister when they exploded.

"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."

Wilson, 25, is the second NFL player to suffer injuries due to a fireworks accident over the Fourth of July weekend.