NFC East Watch: Giants, Jason Pierre-Paul Agree to Deal

Almost four months after he lost his right index finger in a July 4 fireworks accident, Jason Pierre-Paul officially returned to the New York Giants on Tuesday night, signing an incentive-heavy one-year deal to help the team down the stretch in a competitive NFC East.

“I’m very excited to be back,” Pierre-Paul said, per the New York Daily News. “I’m getting ready to do what I have to do.”

Pierre-Paul famously did not sign the $14 million franchise offer the Giants put on the table in March, which only complicated things when the accident happened. There was a period when he wouldn’t even see team officials at all, and he only let team doctors examine the hand for the first time since the accident a month and a half ago. But he met with the team on Monday and was signed the next day.

When he’ll be ready to return to game action, of course, is another issue.

“It is just good to have Jason back in our building,” said head coach Tom Coughlin. “You can feel his energy and his desire to overcome what he has had to endure since July. His spirit is undeniable, and he is anxious to get to work with (defensive line coach) Robert Nunn and Spags (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo), as well as our medical and strength and conditioning people.”