Jason Pierre-Paul reportedly ‘ready’ to play, but obstacles could remain
The Jason Pierre-Paul saga has been such a mystery — summed up by Giants co-owner John Mara’s incredible quote, “I don’t know how many fingers he has” — that nothing should be too surprising. Even Pierre-Paul somehow playing in Week 1 or shortly thereafter.
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Giants coach Tom Coughlin didn’t rule out Pierre-Paul for the season opener, and a report from NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan said Pierre-Paul is “ready” to play. Pierre-Paul reported to the Giants on Monday for a physical, the first time the team and Pierre-Paul have met since a July 4 fireworks accident. The Giants’ Pro Bowl defense end was franchise-tagged this offseason, then suffered significant injuries including reportedly losing his right index finger.
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But the reports on Monday afternoon were fairly positive. NJ.com’s story, citing a source, said Pierre-Paul is in condition to play, though his hand is still healing. It sounds like the Giants would have to determine how limited Pierre-Paul will be with his hand early in the season, and determine if they’re good playing him with those limitations.
There are contractual issues in play, however. As ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano pointed out, Pierre-Paul is due about $14.8 million on the franchise tag. The Giants could put Pierre-Paul on the non-football injury (NFI) list after he signs the tender and not pay him for games he misses. He would miss at least the first six games on the NFI. Though, one reason Pierre-Paul was so secretive with the Giants and waited so long to take his physical is that he could argue that if the Giants pass him on his physical, he shouldn’t be eligible for the NFI list. The two sides could come to an agreement on a lower guaranteed salary based on how many games the Giants think he might miss as he recovers.
This was one of the strangest ordeals in NFL history, so it makes sense that less than a week before the season kicks off we still have no idea exactly how this will all play out.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
