There’s been yet another wild revelation in the Jason Pierre-Paul injury story. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Pierre-Paul is missing a part of his right thumb, something that was unknown to many on the New York Giants staff until recently. He also has an injury to his middle finger. Moreover, Ed Werder adds that the defensive end’s entire right hand is “badly damaged” from the fireworks accident in July.
Pierre-Paul has not signed the franchise tag, something that was on the table before the mishap. Should he change his mind, the team can choose not to pay him as a result of the accident taking place away from football. He has offered to play with a cast or protection of sorts on his hand, but the Giants don’t want to risk paying an “average pass rusher” $800,000 a week.
What a huge mess.
For now, he’s solely focused on rehab; his last skin graft was two weeks ago. He’s lifting weights and getting back into shape. But a return this season seems improbable, especially given this new information.
[ESPN]