The New York Giants take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium at 4:05 p.m. EST.
Advertisement
Pierre-Paul has missed the entire season after a July 4 fireworks accident cost him his right index finger and parts of his thumb and middle finger. Pierre-Paul has not officially been ruled out yet for the game and the Giants likely will decide ahead of Week 9 if he plays.
Pierre-Paul initially kept the Giants staff from visiting him during his recovery and many suspected it was Jason’s attempt to hide how significant the injury was. He has 42.0 sacks in five seasons with New York, including 12.5 in 2014. I can play both sides.
Best guess is that the Giants use Pierre-Paul somewhat like they have used Damontre Moore this season – perhaps even in place of Moore. Nix has always been a player many believe has potential, but he failed to register a single statistic in limited snaps this season and had been inactive for several games. Wilson was forced to retire due to the significance of his injuries, but Pierre-Paul joins a growing list of players who have overcome severe health adversity to get back to the gridiron. The Giants today added Pierre-Paul to their active roster. Jason Pierre-Paul, however, seemed to have the confidence that he was in the right physical shape to return early.
In response to another injury question, this one about Victor Cruz, Coughlin replied,”You know what I’m going to do, I’m going to have somebody come in here and answer all the medical”. You’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do. “That time off, thinking about my family, that was it. When the doctors said I can play football, OK, let’s go”. The defensive end remained optimistic that he would be able to return in time to contribute in 2015, and after finally signing a deal to re-join the team, he impressed the team with his conditioning.
“The look in his eye, I can tell he’s ready to go”, Spagnuolo said. I can’t say I’m going to go out there and get sacks, I don’t know. “I just think if he makes any plays it will probably have to be from running around blocks rather than taking them on”.
Pierre-Paul has, of course, been cleared to play.
If it’s up to Coughlin, the answer would be no. He jokingly said during the offseason that he’d love as 10- or 12-year contract. The biggest issue for the Giants has been covering the short to intermediate pass. They’ve struggled against the run in recent weeks, too.
Advertisement
New York placed linebacker Jon Beason on injured reserve because of injuries to his knee and ankle. Plus, a game of “Pass or Fail?’ at the halfway point of the season”.
