Jason Pierre-Paul meets with Giants, per reports

After severely damaging his hand in a Fourth of July fireworks accident and ultimately having his right index finger amputated, Pierre-Paul met with the Giants right before Week 1 of the season. For months now, no one has had any idea when Pierre-Paul would once again don a Giants uniform, or if he would even play for the team again.

Jason Pierre-Paul has reportedly re-joined the New York Giants after keeping his distance from the team as he rehabbed a hand injury. This will be the first time that the Giants and Pierre-Paul meet since their first meeting leading up to the season on September 7th.

Cole says the whole deal is pending a physical, which would still seem dicey considering the whole loss of fingers thing. Both sides are maneuvering, set against the backdrop of ongoing uncertainty whether Pierre-Paul is still physically capable of playing football.

Pierre-Paul did not sign his $14.8 million franchise tender before the accident, and the Giants have not rescinded the tender, so the contract is still on the table. Kim Jones of NFL Network said earlier that is the scenario the Giants are hoping for.

The fact that Pierre-Paul is avoiding the Giants is not good.

The Giants (4-3) placed the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul in March before free agency.

ESPN is disputing the notion that Pierre-Paul has already arrived, saying only that discussions with JPP’s agent were scheduled today. But at the same time, if they don’t feel Pierre-Paul is ready, they won’t risk putting him back out on the field or spending that kind of money on him. The Giants hold all the cards here, and they will not give in easily. If he doesn’t sign before that date, he won’t play this season. But the Giants are likely to be more cautious, and there’s a chance they won’t clear him to play for them at all this season.

The next three weeks will be pivotal in deciding Pierre-Paul’s future.