GREATER Western Sydney forward Steve Johnson took to Twitter on Saturday to clarify his strange thumb injury, saying it stemmed from a wrist problem at the end of the 2016 season.

The Giants released a statement last week that said Johnson ruptured a tendon in the thumb on his left hand while reaching for a phone.

It happened in the days leading up to his wedding on Friday, November 18.

Given that the unusual nature of the injury had raised eyebrows, Johnson said the damage was done in the lead-up to reaching for his phone.

"I had a bit of a sore wrist at the end of the season but wasn't too concerned," Johnson said.

"After playing golf a couple of weeks ago, it got really sore. I sought treatment and had an injection to settle down some inflammation.

"A few days later I was out for lunch, and after picking up my daughter and putting a chair back in at the café, I noticed my forearm had gone numb. I decided I would call the doctor and ask if this was normal post-injection.

"When I reached to get my phone, I realised my thumb wasn't functioning. The tendon, which had been rubbing on a bone spur in my wrist, had ruptured."

Johnson is not expected to return to full training for three months.

The 24th player drafted in 2001 was at the NAB AFL Draft on Friday night, which took place in Sydney, to announce Cedric Cox would go to the Brisbane Lions at No. 24.

Johnson came to the stage sporting heavy bandaging over his hand and wrist. He will wear the cast for another five weeks.

The 33-year-old booted 43 goals in his first season at GWS after Geelong decided not to give him another contract at the end of last year.

Johnson was suspended after the Giants' successful qualifying final and missed the six-point preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs.