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Bucs' C.J. Wilson, ex-USF star Pierre-Paul lose fingers in fireworks mishaps

 
Published July 9, 2015

Two NFL players with strong Tampa ties find their football futures in question, with Bucs backup corner­back C.J. Wilson joining former USF defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul in sustaining severe hand injuries as a result of separate fireworks incidents while celebrating the Fourth of July on Saturday.

Pierre-Paul, 26, had his right index finger amputated Wednesday because of damage from the accident in South Florida, ESPN reported, citing medical documents of the procedure. The coveted pass-rusher who had turned down a $60 million offer from the Giants, who drafted him No. 15 overall in 2010, has not shared any details about the severity of his injury.

Wilson lost two fingers on one hand after fireworks exploded in a canister he was holding, the Lincoln, N.C., Times-News reported. His father told WBTV in Charlotte that his son lost the index and middle fingers — he did not specify which hand — and was having a second surgery Wednesday. Curtis Wilson Sr. said the fireworks did not pop out of the canister when they exploded.

Wilson, who has played in four games in two NFL seasons, is facing long odds just to make the Bucs' roster with a league-minimum salary. The 25-year-old had four tackles in two games with Tampa Bay last year.

Wilson remained hospitalized in "good" condition Wednesday at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Scott Cloninger, who coached Wilson at Lincolnton High School, said Wednesday that Wilson was injured when a firework went off while he was holding it, and that the injury would require rehabilitation.

Wilson's agent, Joel Turner, declined to comment beyond confirming the injury, saying any details would come from the Bucs.

The team issued a brief statement Wednesday afternoon. "We are aware that C.J. was involved in an accident that occurred over the July 4th holiday," the statement read. "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."

Pierre-Paul's interaction with the Giants is far more contentious. The Deerfield Beach native had not yet signed the team's one-year, $14.8 million franchise tender, so technically he isn't under contract. According to reports, he declined to meet with team officials who flew from New York to Miami to check on the severity of his injury. Reports said that when ESPN disclosed the amputation, it was the first the Giants had heard of it.

Both players can be placed on the NFL's nonfootball-injury list, and it's hard to know how viable their continued playing is without understanding the nature of their injuries and how much functional use they'll have from their injured hands.