Injured defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is expected to visit the Giants this week, probably on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. Of course, JPP was considered likely to report to the team last week, and that didn’t happen, so we’ll have to wait to confirm that this is the week that the two sides reunite.
According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter), Pierre-Paul will report to the Giants on either Monday or Tuesday, with the intent to sign his franchise tender and return to the field. However, Cole cautions that the standout pass rusher would have to pass a physical from the club.
Per Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, who also expects JPP to report by Tuesday, the situation is still “murky” and may not be close to a resolution. As Graziano writes, the 26-year-old believes his injured hand has recovered enough for him to play immediately, but the team may not see it that way, and there’s no guarantee New York even clears him to play at all this season.
With Pierre-Paul’s franchise tender still unsigned, he likely wouldn’t put pen to paper unless he receives assurances that the Giants won’t place him on the non-football injury list — if he lands on NFI, he wouldn’t necessarily be paid. For New York to make that promise though, the team may need JPP to agree to reduce his salary for 2015, so there are a handful of moving parts in play.
Before Pierre-Paul and the Giants determine their next course of action, the team will have to once again examine his hand. The last time New York’s doctors got a look at that injured hand was in early September, just before the regular season began, so it’s possible the club will be pleased with the progress JPP has made over the last seven weeks. If so, then the two sides would engage in negotiations about a potential return — if not, the former first-round pick will probably remain unsigned for a little while longer.