Two important things I need to point out right off the bat. First, I’m just spitballing something here. I don’t have any sources or know anything specific. Second, I hope I’m wrong. But in reading the news today, there was a story that leapt out at me, and my mind keeps coming back to it.
New York Jets punter Ryan Quigley is dealing with an infection that sounds scary. NJ.com’s
Quigley said he had some scratches on his shin last week against Washington when he had a punt blocked for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He said everything seemed normal until after practice on Friday. By Saturday, he said, “it was kind of out of control.”
“I was fine all week,” he said. “It was kind of like a freak thing. … I got an infection underneath the skin somehow.” Quigley said he had taken care of the shin all week and wasn’t sure if he got some dirt in it during practice. He said he hadn’t done anything he can think of to aggravate the problem.
Quigley said he’s been taking antibiotic pills. He expects to be fine.
When I read this, I can’t help but be reminded of New York Giants TE Daniel Fells’ MRSA infection from earlier this month. If you’re not familiar, Fells received a cortisone injection in his ankle that led to an antibiotic resistant staph infection. Fells ended up having seven surgeries to combat the infection, and his playing days are likely done. Believe it or not, that’s actually a good outcome, as it was thought he might lose his foot, and perhaps suffer even more damage if the infection spread further into his body.
Reading about Ryan Quigley today, it was tough not to find some similarities. Hopefully the antibiotics are working for Quigley, and this is a non-story. But it stood out to me that Quigley acquired his initial injury at MetLife stadium, the same stadium that Daniel Fells would’ve played at as a Giant. Although the two teams have separate training facilities, they share the same stadium.
Like I said, I hope I’m wrong. And so far, there’s no reason to think I’m right and that there’s any connection between Fells’ illness and Quigley’s. Also, even if I was somehow right, I’d point out that the Giants are reported to have handled their own MRSA situation appropriately and to the accepted and recommended standards, as reported here. But again, having said all that, that’s the angle my (perhaps paranoid) brain keeps returning to today.
