New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul reportedly suffered a broken thumb as part of the injury he sustained as a result of a fireworks mishap during the Fourth of July weekend which recently required the amputation of his right index finger.
Pierre-Paul is expected to face a six-week recovery period, which is an estimate based on the timeframe for healing of the thumb and not his amputated finger, according to a report from Kimberly Jones of NFL.com.
Per Jones, pins were inserted into the thumb to assist the healing process.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report on Wednesday evening that Pierre-Paul had been forced to undergo the amputation of his right index finger as a result of the accident and the overall injury.
Perhaps most troubling for Giants fans though, was the revelation, from Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, shortly after Schefter's report that Pierre-Paul has thus far refused the assistance of the Giants throughout the entirety of his ordeal. Pierre-Paul reportedly declined the team's offer to connect him with hand specialists in Manhattan and also refused to visit with two Giants staffers - vice president of medical affairs Ronnie Barnes and former player and current special assistant and consultant for the team, Jessie Armstead - who flew to Florida to assess the extent of JPP's injuries.
Pierre-Paul, just 26, is set to enter his sixth NFL season. His rookie contract ended after 2014 and the Giants chose to apply the franchise tag to Pierre-Paul.
JPP broke out in his second NFL season, nabbing 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 86 tackles, but dealt with injuries and inconsistencies in the two following seasons. This past season, Pierre-Paul seemed to reacquire some of that initial form to the tune of 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Considering defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins posted the second-most sacks for New York last season, nabbing just seven, it's likely an already anemic Giants pass rush will be even more ineffective to begin 2015 if Pierre-Paul isn't able to return in time.
Of course, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted late Wednesday, JPP actually chose to have the finger amputated so that the healing process and his return to action would be expedited.
It remains to be seen if the thumb will be an impediment to that.
