The New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells is at risk of having his foot amputated after contracting an MRSA infection in his ankle.
According to NFL.com, Fells injured his ankle and toe during practice last month and was initially given a cortisone injection. However, his wife took him to hospital after he began running a high temperature. Doctors found he had an MRSA infection around his ankle. MRSA is resistant to some types of antibiotics.
NFL.com reports that Fells has undergone five surgeries. While doctors hope to avoid amputating his foot there is concern the infection could travel from his bone into his bloodstream, something which can have the most serious of consequences.
Several members of the Giants staff, including head coach Tom Coughlin, have visited Fells in hospital. “This is a serious situation that has been taken seriously from the beginning. We’re all fighting for Daniel,” said Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon.
The Giants have scrubbed and sanitized their locker room, training rooms and meeting rooms since Fells’ situation became clear, and there is no suggestion any other players are at risk.
MRSA is not uncommon among NFL players. The former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes’s career ended following an MRSA infection during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. St Louis, Cleveland and Washington have also had players treated for MRSA infections.
Fells has been placed on the season-ending injured reserve list. He joined the Giants in 2014 following a career that has included time with the St Louis Rams and Denver Broncos.
