New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul could miss training camp and the start of the season after suffering a hand injury in a fireworks accident and the incident could have an impact on contract negotiations between JPP and the New York front office.
The Giants used the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul this offseason and the sides have until July 15 to work out a deal. According to Adam Schefter at ESPN, Pierre-Paul could "miss the start of the regular season" due to the injuries and the team is "still awaiting more medical information." Schefter reported that Pierre-Paul suffered injuries to both hands and he suffered burns on his palm and had injuries to three of his fingertips.
Schefter said on SportsCenter that Pierre-Paul could miss all of training camp with the injuries and the team could consider pulling back a contract offer for Pierre-Paul. The Giants have Pierre-Paul set up to take a one year, $14.8 million franchise tag deal if the sides cannot work out a long term extension. The Giants may not want to pay up big after Pierre-Paul made such a reckless mistake and it could become a point of contention in upcoming negotiations with the deadline so close.
Pierre-Paul had a rebound season last year after dealing with injuries and poor play in the previous two, recording 12.5 sacks in 2014. If Pierre-Paul missed games because of the fireworks injury, Pro Football Talk reports that he will deal with "$870,000 in lost salary." The Giants open the season against the Dallas Cowboys and they could consider withdrawing the franchise tender to JPP, but that outcome is not looking likely as of now.
NFL.com reported that the Giants "pulled a long-term offer" to Pierre-Paul after the accident and Ian Rapoport wrote that sources said that the Giants "do not believe a long-term offer is in the best interest of those involved at this point." Later ESPN reported that the Giants pulling the offer was not true, but either way, this accident will have an impact on the talks for Pierre-Paul and the team. JPP missed five games two years ago and in the combined seasons of 2012-13 he only had 8.5 sacks. Pierre-Paul had his best season in 2011 when he had 16.5 sacks and the Giants won the Super Bowl.
The Giants need Jason Pierre-Paul this season if they want to be successful, as the team has missed the playoffs since winning their last Super Bowl. JPP played a huge part in that and he was expected to be the leader among the defensive ends this season. Pierre-Paul is just 26 and still has the chance to develop as a player. The mistake here could cost him money and according to Dan Graziano at ESPN, the one year deal is "far more" likely than a long term agreement getting done.
NFL.com reports that a Giants spokesman said that the "first concern is for JPP's well-being." With just eight days to go until the deadline, getting a long term deal done was unlikely even before the injury. JPP started all 16 games last season and stayed healthy after dealing with injuries in 2013.
