New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells has been hospitalized since October 2 due to a chronic ankle condition later discovered to be a serious Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. There are several reports claiming that Fell's condition might lead to the amputation of his foot.
However, new details have also emerged suggesting otherwise. ESPN reports, citing sources familiar with Fell's current health situation, that the player's doctors are optimistic that he may not need to lose his foot as his body is responding to course of antibiotics given to him in the past few days.
MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, are microorganisms resistant to most antibiotics. An infection involving MRSA is exceptionally difficult to address as doctors have to work hard to find the right mixture of antibiotic drugs to fight it off.
The 32-year-old tight end's infection is believed to have been triggered by a routine cortisone shot he received from team doctors. New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin is hopeful that Fells has chance for full recovery. He said that it was his understanding that the player's condition was improving, and that he had exhibited stable improvement after the infection had spread to a bone in his leg.
Since Fells was unable to play in the Giants versus 49ers match on Sunday, he took to Instagram to express his support for his teammates. He posted a logo of the team and captioned it with "My heart is with my brothers tonight," he wrote. "Get that W G-men. I love every one of you #thiswillnotdefeatme."
Additionally, new information has just been released regarding the death of former Giants safety Tyler Sash. He was found dead in his Oskaloosa, Iowa home on September 8.
An autopsy report recently shared by the Iowa Department of Public Health revealed that Sash died of an "accidental mixed drug toxicity involving methadone and hydrocodone." Both substances are legal. The Iowa State Medical Examiner confirmed that the player's overdose was accidental and not intentional.
The main reason for Sash's intake of the above-mentioned drugs was to curb the pain caused by a long-term shoulder injury. The medical examiner added that they will need at least six months more to determine if Sash also suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition common among football players who have suffered from repeated hits to the head.
Sash had been a popular safety for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and played 37 games from 2008-2010. He joined the NFL after his junior year at Iowa and was drafted the New York Giants in 2011 during the sixth round. Sash won a Super Bowl with the team back in 2012.
