The NY Giants have Jason Pierre-Paul back in a sense after the defensive end took his team physical, but JPP likely will not return to the field for at least a month after having one of his fingers amputated this offseason. The Giants are also dealing with a contract extension for Eli Manning, the health status of Victor Cruz and a new addition in linebacker Jasper Brinkley.
The Giants finally got JPP back to the team facility this week and the defensive end came in a was looked at by the medical staff after a long absence from the team. According to Newsday.com, the Giants and JPP are at odds over when he can come back and play for the team. Tom Rock and Bob Glauber report that sources say that there is "doubt" that Pierre-Paul plays in the near future.
Adding to the situation is the fact that JPP is still has not signed his franchise tender and that could mean there is some negotiation going on. The one-year deal is for $14.8 million and now, according to ESPN, if Pierre-Paul can't play, the Giants can't put him on the non-football injury list anymore if the team wants him to play this year. Ed Werder reports that the sides have talked about a "revised contract," but that it has "broken down over differences of opinion on his readiness to play."
Eli Manning and the Giants have been talking about a contract extension this offseason and the two sides could reach a deal before the season starts. According to Pro Football Talk, Manning does not want to work on a new deal and negotiate during the season and that could motivate the sides to get a deal done. Manning is coming into the final year of his contract. According to ESPN.com, the sides have made "significant progress" on a contract.
One of Manning's weapons, Victor Cruz, may not be ready for the season opener while dealing with a calf injury, although Odell Beckham is expected to be fine after dealing with a hamstring issue. Cruz is coming back from serious knee surgery and while he has healed up well from that, the calf injury has kept him from getting practice reps and preseason reps for the Giants.
The best fantasy starters for the team in Week 1 are Odell Beckham and Rashad Jennings. Both players are the main starters at their positions and if Cruz can't go, expect OBJ to have a big game against the Cowboys. Jennings is coming in as the starter and even with Andre Williams and Shane Vereen there, he could be a great pick for Week 1.
The Giants also added a linebacker in Jasper Brinkley, as the team would like some insurance with Jon Beason injury prone and some other players getting cut. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Giants are signing Brinkley, who is getting paid $2 million by the Cowboys to not play for them, as he signed a deal in March. The Cowboys cut Brinkley after adding Jordan Mills, while the Giants added Brinkley after cutting Jameel McClain.
Check here for more news on the Giants. Check here for more on the Eli Manning deal.
