ARIZONA CARDINALS

Can’t quite put a finger on this Rashad Johnson story

Sep 24, 2013, 9:51 PM | Updated: 9:51 pm

Are we making too big of a deal out of Rashad Johnson losing part of his middle finger during Sunday’s game?

OR NOT ENOUGH?!?

Dude lost part of his finger during Sunday’s game!

He noticed blood dripping from his glove, removed the glove, and NOT ALL OF HIS HAND CAME OUT OF THE GLOVE!

How does that even happen? Someone call John Brenkus. I need this explained.

“It’s probably the most painful injury I’ve ever had,” said Johnson.

Probably?

What? So, it’s between this and the time you lost a foot against Auburn?

The skin on the fingertips has more nerve endings than nearly any other part of the body.

Ever had a hangnail?

Ever try treating it by simply cutting off the fingertip?

Skin, bone, nail, nail bed, tendon and pulp were all severed in one convenient slice during a routine special teams tackle.

What!?!

Someone check Darren Sproles’ facemask. If it was made by Ginsu, and not Riddell, we may have our answer to this mystery.

Despite being able to give only ‘High four-and-a-halves’ for the rest of his life, Johnson seems OK with his injury and the national attention his newly-reduced digit has received. After all, he tweeted out a pic of the nub.

Johnson’s play as a safety is never going to put him in the same sentence with the great Ronnie Lott, but now the two players are forever linked. Lott famously had doctors remove a gnarled finger so he could go back on the field during a game in 1986. Johnson did not return to action Sunday, but when he does he will do so with the knowledge of the injury, which I would argue might be the more difficult aspect of the freak injury to overcome.

He saw his fingertip was missing! He felt the tip inside his glove! He realized then and there any dreams he had of hand modeling were finished! The endorphins eventually stabilized and the pain of the severed finger was being felt by Johnson throughout the remainder of the game.

At the very least, and I’m talking the very least here, the guy has earned a spot next to Lott in the next great “famous people who lost fingers” coffee table book that gets published.

And just so you know, Rashad, that puts you in fairly elite company with Jerry Garcia, Scotty from Star Trek, and Jesse James (the cool historic one, not the grease monkey who cheated on Sandra Bullock). Of course, you’ll have to lose another finger to be mentioned alongside Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai Brown, and four more to be in the company of my high school shop teacher, but let’s not go breaking out your bandsaw just to prove a point. Let’s face it, no one likes a nine-fingered showboat.

At the end of the day, I am impressed, Johnson. Absolutely bewildered. But undoubtedly impressed.

Arizona Cardinals

Jacob Roberts #40 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons attempts to tackle Trey Benson #3 of the Florida...

Kellan Olson

New Cardinals RB Trey Benson, FSU teammate Jared Verse banter as future opponents

Cardinals running back Trey Benson was asked about having to face his collegiate teammate Jared Verse. So then he handed the phone to Verse.

18 hours ago

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson #DB64 of Texas Tech participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas...

Kellan Olson

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson manifested getting drafted ‘home’ by Arizona Cardinals

Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson felt a connection to the Arizona Cardinals in the pre-draft process and it came to fruition.

22 hours ago

Tip Reiman runs the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Wolf or Tip? Cardinals rookie TE Tip Reiman prides himself on being a mauler

Arizona Cardinals 2024 third-round pick Tip Reiman isn't one to hide from contact. In fact, he welcomes it with open arms.

23 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. runs after the catch...

Tyler Drake

Petzing: Important Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. begins NFL career ‘just like anybody else’

It's of the utmost importance Marvin Harrison Jr. is "just like anybody else" joining an NFL offense for the first time.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Tip Reiman talks being drafted by Arizona Cardinals, goals for season ahead

Arizona Cardinals tight end Tip Reiman joined Wolf & Luke to talk draft night, the process leading up to the draft and what he hopes to bring to the organization.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Was the Arizona Cardinals’ decision to not pick up Zaven Collins’ option a forgone conclusion?

After Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort told Burns & Gambo that the team was not picking up Zaven Collins' option, Wolf & Luke take a closer look at what it means moving forward.

2 days ago

Can’t quite put a finger on this Rashad Johnson story