The NY Giants and Jason Pierre-Paul are in a bit of a stalemate after JPP was injured in an accident involving fireworks and now that his finger has been amputated, the future is uncertain for the defensive end in New York, as he is on the franchise tag and did not agree to a long term contract by the Wednesday deadline.
Pierre-Paul and the Giants were not close on a long term deal even before the fireworks accident and the deadline was Wednesday for the sides to reach an agreement. According to NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport, the Giants and JPP were "nowhere close" on Wednesday on getting a long term deal done and that means he likely will end up on the one year franchise tender. The report says that the team "could offer" a "one-year deal structured differently" than the $14.8 million one-year deal, but right now there is no movement on an agreement.
Pro Football Talk reports that JPP may need "6-to-8 weeks" top recover from his amputated finger injury and his thumb injury and that could mean he is out for the start of the season. According to the New York Daily News, the Giants pulled their long term offer following the incident, but Ralph Vacchiano reports that JPP was "not inclined" to sign that deal. JPP is on the franchise tag and he can sign the one-year tender offer at just under $15 million for this season.
According to Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio reports that Pierre-Paul is willing to sign his franchise tender "if the Giants guarantee his salary" for this season. Florio writes that the Giants can place Pierre-Paul on the non-football injury list if he signs his tender ahead of Week 1, but the team could "choose not to pay him" while on that list. Basically Florio writes, the Giants "have to guarantee" JPP's salary if they want him back "sooner."
There are some moving parts in this situation to deal with, as Pierre-Paul may not be ready for training camp or the start of the season no matter what happens with his contract. The amputation was not the only serious part of the injury, as Pierre-Paul is also dealing with thumb fractures and some reports have those being even worse than his other injuries. According to Ed Werder at ESPN, Pierre-Paul suffered "right thumb fractures" and those could take "six weeks" or longer to heal.
Werder reported that JPP underwent "numerous surgeries" related to the fireworks accident and he will need time to recover. Adam Schefter reported at ESPN that Pierre-Paul had his finger amputated and that also could complicate things, as JPP may have to relearn some things at his position. Pro Football Talk reports that Sunday Night Football Sports Medicine Analyst Mike Ryan said that the thumb injury for Pierre-Paul is "concerning" and that the amputation could "heal in four weeks."
NJ.com reports that the Giants have "no plans" to "sever ties" with Pierre-Paul his offseason despite the fireworks accident. Giants beat reporter Jordan Raanan reports that the team "fully intends" to keep Pierre-Paul moving forward despite the fact that Pierre-Paul did not want to see two Giants officials that tried to visit him in the hospital in Florida.
Check here for more on the injury to Jason Pierre-Paul and the contract status with the New York Giants.
