Jason Pierre-Paul is back! Just two months after a fireworks accident resulted in the loss of a finger and a partially fractured hand, Jason Pierre-Paul will be able to play for the New York Giants much sooner as he passed his physical Monday afternoon. It was also reported the hand is no longer broken but he will play in a large cast. It is not yet known if Pierre-Paul will be available for the team in their week one matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Pierre-Paul has yet to sign the $14.8 million franchise tender he will have to play under this year.
The 26-year-old former pro bowler had his right index finger amputated as result of the July 4th incident. Adding to that, he also fractured part of his right hand on the accident. Coming into this season, Pierre-Paul was coming off of one of his strongest seasons as a pro since being drafted in 2010, out of the University of South Florida. This past year he finished with 53 solo tackles and 24 combined tackles to go along with 12.5 sacks, also he added three forced fumbles.
Pierre-Paul never talked with the Giants until now, but it was reported that he was getting his own medical care near his home in South Florida. Never talking to the Giants during this time made many members of the Giants angry and frustrated. Giants co-owner John Mara and head coach Tom Coughlin repeatedly sounded frustrated with JPP but is likely that all of that frustration and anger has now passed over as JPP is back.
The news is a huge momentum boost for the Giants heading into the regular season. The Giants struggled in the preseason without Pierre-Paul. The team did however get a good luck at young defensive end Damontre Moore and rookie Owamagbe Odighizuwa.
Pierre-Paul's return will help the Giants defense in a big way. With Pierre-Paul rushing the quarterback, it will help the Giants lackluster secondary to be less vulnerable to giving up big plays down the field.
Many people think the Giants down have enough to contend for an NFC East title this year. This may be true, but the return of Pierre-Paul will help the Giants to narrow the gap between them and the two teams likely to win the division, the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.