The Giants are aware that defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul hurt his hand over the Independence Day weekend in a fireworks accident that forced doctors to amputate the All-Pro player's index finger, according to multiple reports.
Wednesday evening, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter tweeted a photo of what appeared to be Pierre-Paul's medical chart, which showed doctors had performed and amputation on the player's right index finger following the accident Saturday. NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport later confirmed that the chart was authentic and said that Pierre-Paul made the decision to have the finger amputated.
A person with knowledge of the incident told The Associated Press that the team was unaware Monday of the severity of the star player's hand.
News of Pierre-Paul's injury spread Saturday after he mentioned fireworks in a video posted to Instagram. The video, which was later deleted, shows a parked U-Haul rental van full of the pyrotechnics.
"Talk about fireworks on the ground," Pierre-Paul said in the post.
Pierre-Paul was to play 2015 on the $14.8 million franchise tag. But the two-time Pro Bowler has yet to sign the tender, which the Giants can still rescind. They had previously offered and rescinded a long-term contract worth up to $60 million, Rapoport reported.
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He's earned more than $16 million in his first five seasons.
Selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, Pierre-Paul didn't start any games his rookie season. He had a breakout year in 2011, posting a career-high 16 1/2 sacks and playing a key role in helping the Giants beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
The 26-year-old Pierre-Paul has 42 career sacks, including 12 1/2 last season.
