Jason Pierre-Paul will start for Giants vs. Buccaneers

Pierre-Paul’s return to the football field is nothing short of miraculous given the extent of his injuries. The defensive end remained optimistic that he would be able to return in time to contribute in 2015, and after finally signing a deal to re-join the team, he impressed the team with his conditioning.

As a group, New York’s defense ranks last in yards allowed per game (427.5) and is No. 24 in points allowed (26).

From a hospital room on Fourth of Jul. weekend, to a surgical room several days after to amputate his right index finger, via many months of rehabilitation & strength training (which has not stopped to today), he’ll make his season debut against the Buccaneers 127 days after the dreaded fireworks accident. He has played for the Rams, Panthers, Jaguars and Cowboys.

“George is solid, ” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Coughlin certainly has given every indication this week that Pierre-Paul’s time is now, less than two weeks after rejoining the team. After the Mets lost the Series Sunday, he said, “I like it here”. “When he first came in (after the accident), he was very upbeat, very positive and he continues to do that with the same old Jason smile on his face”. Darkwa was injured in the first half of Sunday’s game and was sore afterward, but his injury is not believed to be significant to where it might keep him out of Sunday’s game….

“Maybe, who knows?” Pierre-Paul said last week.

Pierre-Paul might have a few fan support in Tampa. “He’s anxious. I think we’re all anxious [to see what happens on the field]”.

Pierre-Paul added that he feels also confident in using his hand against opponents. “And my son will be there, so I’ll be playing for him”. “If he’s not ready, then we’ll take more time”. “We all knew how good George was”. The Giants put the veteran linebacker on season-ending IR with an ankle injury, nearly assuredly ending his career as a Giant. He was moving like a defensive back, not even exhausted. “I got real excited at the possibilities”. Don’t count out the possibility of Nix returning to the Giants at a few point. “I just got done watching the (practice) tape in there, and I remember one play, when the ball is snapped, he’s off the ball pretty good. So that’s what’s going to bring me back”. But it hasn’t translated to the National Football League, where he has become a journeyman. Despite leading their division (4-4 in the NFC East), it has more to do with the overall weakness of their opponents, not their great play.