New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells is reportedly at risk of losing his foot because of a staph infection.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Fells has been hospitalized for over a week and undergone five surgeries. The 32-year-old has been battling MRSA and was placed in the intensive care unit on Friday. Fells is expected to have more surgeries, and doctors were reportedly working to save his foot as of Saturday night.
The Giants have placed Fells on Injured Reserve, and Rapoport notes that it is possible the veteran could never see the field again. He apparently contracted the infection after receiving a cortisone shot in his foot to treat toe and ankle injuries. Fells’ wife took him to the emergency room on Oct. 2, where doctors determined Fells had a 104-degree fever and a dangerous infection in his foot.
Doctors fear that the infection has gotten to the bone, which means Fells is at risk of it traveling to his blood. That would be a potentially life-threatening situation, so the only solution may be amputating his foot.
Giants officials have visited Fells in the hospital, and the team has been working with infectious disease specialists to prevent the spread of the infection.
Former NFL kicker Lawrence Tynes sued the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year over the MRSA outbreak the team dealt with in 2013. If you remember, Bucs fans mocked the team and former coach Greg Schiano at the time by wearing these costumes to a game.
We certainly hope doctors are able to successfully fight off the infection. Our thoughts are with Fells.
Photo: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports
