New York Giants defensive Jason Pierre-Paul's status for the only franchise he's ever known remains in question. The man they call JPP has, of course, been working to return from an off-season fireworks injury which cost him most of the ring finger on his right hand and which has, no doubt, caused quite a bit of consternation amongst the Giants front office.
While Pierre-Paul remains without a contract after the team rescinded the offer of the one-year, $14.8 million franchise tender, a recent report updating his health, from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, makes it sound as though he's fully planning on reporting to the Giants prior to the start of the 2015 NFL season.
"According to three sources informed of his recovery, JPP's rehab is 'progressing very well.' It has been about a month and a half since the fireworks incident on July 4 weekend that led to an eventual index finger amputation," writes Rapoport.
"He's still expected to show up at the Giants facility prior to the start of the regular season, but whether he'll be in uniform Week 1 against the Cowboys or whether it takes a few weeks to round into form is still up in the air."
It's been an odd and mostly unfortunate offseason for both JPP and the Giants. Pierre-Paul suffered the injury while setting off fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend and afterward, seemingly did everything his power to keep the Giants from assessing the damage to his hand and offering assistance.
Per Rapoport, while Pierre-Paul's health is trending in a positive direction and he's expected to report prior to the start of the regular season, he's still been doing his best to keep the New York franchise at bay. Pierre-Paul has not given the team a "definitive update" on his progress and team doctors have yet to examine him. Coaches and teammates have texted the big defensive end but have gotten only cursory responses.
Interestingly, Pierre-Paul's future with the Giants and in the NFL may be in question, but it seems he hasn't lost his sense of humor about the whole situation. JPP joked about his injury on Twitter on Sunday night. Check it out for yourself.
What happened to me was not a set back. God has greater plans for me. No man can judge me accepted God himself.
— iamjasonpierrepaul (@UDWJPP) August 23, 2015
My bad except lost a finger LOL. — iamjasonpierrepaul (@UDWJPP) August 23, 2015
Does that sound like a guy who is worried over his future with the team?
