It seems JPP wasn't the only NFL player to injure themselves in a moronic manner over the Fourth of July weekend. It was confirmed today by Roy Cummings of the Tampa Bay Tribune that Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner C.J. Wilson was injured while lighting off fireworks during the nation's celebration of independence.
Bucs CB C.J. Wilson suffered a severe hand injury in a July 4th fireworks accident, Wilson's representatives confirm to Tampa Tribune
— Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) July 8, 2015
The team released a statement in the wake of the revelation of Wilson's injury, via Ross Jones of Fox Sports.
"We are aware that C.J. was involved in an accident that occurred over the July 4t h holiday. It is our understanding that the injur 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."
The fact that the Bucs have at least been able to contact Wilson puts them lightyears ahead of the Giants who, according to the most recent report, have yet to reach Pierre-Paul, their franchise-tagged defensive end.
Considering the strange turns the Pierre-Paul saga has taken already - from erroneous reports of possible disfigurement, to potential criminal charges, to the likelihood of his landing on the non-football injury list and missing the first six games of the 2015 NFL season - it will be interesting to see if Wilson's case follows a similar path.
Wilson, 25, is currently set to enter his third NFL season. A former undrafted free agent of the Chicago Bears after starring collegiately at North Carolina State, Wilson joined the Buccaneers last season. He's appeared in just four NFL games to date, amassing five tackles.
Wilson seemed like a longshot to make the Bucs 53-man roster even before the injury and was likely set for a tough battle with Brandon Dixon, Isaiah Frey and Deshazor Everett for one of the final corner spots out of training camp.
While the injury likely doesn't knock him out of the competition altogether, depending on the severity of the damage, it could seriously hinder his chances of making the squad.
UPDATE, 2:25 PM: Greg Auman of The Tampa Bay Times passes along a report from the Lincoln (N.C.) Times-News alleging that Wilson lost two fingers in the accident.
Bucs backup cornerback C.J. Wilson lost two fingers on one hand in a fireworks accident July 4, the Lincoln (N.C.) Times-News is reporting.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 8, 2015
