With MRSA in check, Giants' Daniel Fells released from hospital
Daniel Fells of the New York Giants runs the ball after a reception against Keenan Robinson of the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Daniel Fells, the Giants tight end who had been diagnosed with MRSA earlier this month, was released from Hackensack University Medical Center on Tuesday, the team announced. Fells had been there since Oct. 2 when his wife brought him to the emergency room with a high fever.
Fells underwent seven surgical procedures during his hospitalization to rid his ankle and foot of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. He will need further treatments and will have an in-home nurse available to administer his medications, but doctors clearly believe he is well enough to be sent home.
There were reports just a week ago that Fells was close to having his foot amputated in a lifesaving maneuver to eliminate the bacteria from his body. That was not necessary as he began to improve. The Giants dedicated their Oct. 11 win over the 49ers to him and the following day presented him with a game ball via a videoconference.
Fells was dealing with an ankle injury when his MRSA symptoms were first discovered. It was unclear how the area became infected but the Giants sanitized and scrubbed their facility to prevent the highly contagious condition from spreading. No other Giants have shown symptoms.
Fells was placed on injured reserve with the infection before the Oct. 4 game against the Bills. It is unlikely that the 32-year-old veteran of eight NFL seasons will be able to return to the field.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
