Jason Pierre-Paul‘s fireworks accident has dominated NFL headlines in recent days, but another player who also sustained an injury due to a fireworks mishap appears to be in worse shape than JPP. Earlier today, we learned that Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson also sustained on hand injury over the Fourth of July weekend, with reports calling the injury “severe” and “significant.”
Now, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that Wilson’s career is in jeopardy, reiterating that the hand injury is “very serious.” While Rapoport doesn’t offer specifics on the defensive back’s situation, Ryan Herman of the Lincoln Times-News cites sources close to Wilson’s family in writing that the 25-year-old lost two fingers in the accident. That report has yet to be confirmed publicly by the Buccaneers or by Wilson’s camp.
Wilson, not to be confused with the defensive tackle who goes by the same name, hadn’t been expected to play a major role for Tampa Bay in 2015, but he did appear in two games for the team at the end of last season, logging some snaps on both defense and special teams. Now, his chances of seeing the field at all this season are up in the air.
In a statement released earlier this afternoon, the Bucs indicated that their primary concern for now is Wilson’s long-term health, and that’s a sentiment we’ll echo as we wait for official word on his health.