Jason Pierre-Paul's personal doctors believe the defensive end is ready to return, but the New York Giants doctors do not. That could leave his return in the hands of an independent doctor with ties to neither side to make a determination about Pierre-Paul's readiness to play, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Jason Pierre-Paul’s return could rely on approval from independent doctor
Pierre-Paul says he’s ready to go, the Giants say he isn’t, so somebody else may have to make the decision.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, an independent doctor would only be necessary if Pierre-Paul decides to file a grievance against the Giants for not clearing him to return.
Pierre-Paul isn’t under contract because he still hasn’t signed the franchise tag that was placed on him in March. If he did, the Giants could place the defensive end on the non-football injury list, which would keep him out of action until at least Week 6, and could mean less money headed his way.
While Pierre-Paul won’t receive the full $14.2 million due to franchise-tagged defensive ends, he is scheduled to make more than $870,000 per week upon his return. That could be the reason why the Giants are hesitant to give him the green light, or it could be the reason why Pierre-Paul is pushing for a return as soon as possible.
A fireworks accident on the Fourth of July resulted in the amputation of the defensive end’s index finger and damage to his middle finger and thumb. Earlier in the week, the first photos of Pierre-Paul’s hand without a glove were revealed.
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