The National Football League has suffered a double blow after separate July 4 fireworks accidents saw two players sustain serious hand injuries -- with one star having a  finger amputated.

New York Giants defender Jason Pierre-Paul lost a finger following the fireworks accident, ESPN reported 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.

Meanwhile Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson suffered severe injuries to one of his hands during a different fireworks accident on the US holiday.

The Tampa Bay Tribune reported that Wilson's NFL future may be in jeopardy because of "a severe hand injury".

In addition to losing a finger, Pierre-Paul, 26, 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 Wednesday that a delegation of team officials had travelled to Miami to see Pierre-Paul in hospital but had returned from Florida without meeting him.

Meanwhile Wilson, 25, was at his home in Lincolnton, North Carolina celebrating the American national holiday with family and friends when the accident took place, the Lincoln Times-News reported.

"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 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 ballclub as well, and they are taking the lead on any information to the public regarding his condition," Turner told Pro Football Talk.

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.
Source: AFP