The mystery of Jason Pierre-Paul in the post-amputation and fireworks accident reality has finally been revealed, at least for the New York Giants, bringing the defensive end a little bit closer to returning to the field.
The player underwent a physical and provided the Giants with all of the medical records related to injuries he suffered. The team was also given a tape of Pierre-Paul doing conditioning work and defensive line drills, as well as lifting weights under the supervision of John Blake, a former Oklahoma head coach and a defensive assistant for the Dallas Cowboys.
Does this mean Pierre-Paul is going to play for the Giants in week 1 as they open the season against the Dallas Cowboys? Probably not. He hasn’t worked out with the team, and staying in shape on his own isn’t enough to bring him up to speed with the preseason work. It simply gives the Giants, finally, a much clearer picture of where their franchised player is at (although he never signed the tender), with a summer of speculations finally over.
Pierre-Paul is due to make $14.8 million this season although he hasn’t signed the franchise tender. However, if the Giants think he’s some way from being prepared to be back on the field, they can put him on the non-football injury list (automatic six weeks out), which would mean they’re not obligated to pay him his salary. Not signing the tender gives Pierre-Paul some control over the timing of his return to the field.
Pierre-Paul has been with the Giants since 2010, playing in two Pro Bowls and making one first team All-Pro. He won the Super Bowl with them in 2011, and has 42 sacks in 75 games as the team’s defensive end, playing all 16 games in four of his five seasons.