New York Giants co-owner John Mara says he wants Jason Pierre-Paul to “come home” to the team, but there is one slight problem.
Pierre-Paul reportedly suffered injuries to his hands during a fireworks accident over Fourth of July weekend, and he had his right index finger amputated as a result.
Now the Giants are unsure of his physical condition as training camp begins.
“We don’t know how extensive the damage is,” Mara said of Pierre-Paul, via NJ.com’s James Kratch. “I don’t know how many fingers he has. We know what we have read and been told.”
The Giants placed the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul back in March, but his contract situation is up in the air following his injury. The two sides couldn’t work out a deal for a long-term contract before the July 15 deadline, so the options remain limited. He can still sign the franchise tender for $14.8 million.
“Our priority, and our hope, is that he is still going to be able to play and we’ll spend that money on him,” Mara told NJ.com.
But Mara says he has communicated only once with Pierre-Paul since his injury, and that was over text. In the meantime, Mara says he is focused on Pierre-Paul’s health and getting him back in a Giants uniform.
“Our first concern is really for his well-being and is he getting the right amount of medical care and proper therapy,” Mara told Kratch. “I know he would get that here. I assume he is getting that down there (in Florida), but I don’t know that.”
Mara added: “Come home. We miss you.”
Thumbnail photo via Jim Brown/USA TODAY Sports Images
