NEW ORLEANS — Giants third-round draft pick Chad Jones was in critical condition as doctors attempted to save his leg after a one-car accident Friday morning.
Jones entered surgery at 11:15 a.m., about four hours after he lost control of a sport utility vehicle and crashed into a streetcar pole. Two passengers in the car were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
According to a report from WWL-TV in New Orleans, Jones, 21, suffered a fractured left leg and had arteries and nerves exposed.
Doctors were attempting to get blood flowing back to Jones’ foot.
A New Orleans Police Department spokesman said he “does not believe” drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident, although there has been no official statement on the matter. Jones will be charged with careless operation of a vehicle, according to authorities.
Jones, a safety, was part of LSU’s 2007 national championship team and also was a left-handed relief pitcher — whose fastball surpassed 90 mph — for the 2009 College World Series champion Tigers.
Known affectionately as “Dreadlocks of Doom” by teammates and LSU fans, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers weeks after the Giants selected him in the NFL draft. Last week he signed a four-year deal with the Giants worth $2.616 million.
Lawyer: Vick not involved in shooting
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Michael Vick was not involved or present when a shooting took place outside a nightclub where he had celebrated his birthday, his lawyer said.
Larry Woodward, one of the Eagles quarterback’s attorneys in his federal dogfighting case, said Vick wasn’t at the club when the shooting took place just after 2 a.m. Friday.
“Watch what you do. Pick and choose your friends carefully. You just can’t put yourself in vulnerable situations,” Vick said when asked about the incident.
The shooting victim was taken to a hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening. Several news outlets identified him as Quanis Phillips, one of the co-defendants in the federal dogfighting case that landed Vick an 18-month federal prison sentence.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is looking into the shooting.
