The curious case of Jason Pierre-Paul — and the Giants' huge pass-rushing problems

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Three games done, one finger and parts of two others missing and still no Jason Pierre-Paul in New York. 

After a workout with the team, the Giants have not yet said when or if JPP will play this season. Now,  it may take a third-party doctor to determine when JPP is ready. The Giants better hope that happens quickly, as they are far and away the worst pass rushing team (a -13.8 rating) in the league, according to ProFootballFocus.com. The Broncos top the league with a 37.6 rating.

The Giants are no-doubt aware of their trouble getting to the quarterback — they've only notched three sacks all year. Robert Ayers is 14th in the NFL with eight total pressures and has the sixth-highest rating for a DE, but there hasn't been a lot of success after him. George Selvie and Damontre Moore both have a mere six total pressures (sacks, hurries and QB hits).

JPP claims he's good to go, so why would Big Blue not take back a defensive end who has ranked in the top 12 in total pressures in three of his four seasons as a full-time starter? It's simple: They believe the damaged hand presents too great a risk.

But they're wrong, one former NFL doctor and three former pass rushers tell Sporting News. Other than his ability to throw up the peace sign, not much on the field will change for Pierre-Paul, who had his index finger amputated July 8.

Dr. Andrew Pollak was a physician with Ravens for eight years and has seen players perform well with broken and bent fingers. As a medical professional, who now works at the University of Maryland, he has seen plenty of fireworks accidents as well.

Pollak stressed that fireworks are dangerous, and accidents with even diminutive explosives can lead to reduced functions in the hand. However, those traits, such as dexterity, aren't essential to being a pass rusher, the doctor said. He prefaced his statement by noting he hasn't examined Pierre-Paul's disfigured right hand, but has seen photos of it.

"These injuries can be bad and you wind up with pretty significant soft tissue injuries. You can lose a lot of the function in your hands and fingers," he said. "Now can you be a pass rusher like [Pierre-Paul]? Sure, you really just need a paw."

Pierre-Paul agrees and took to Twitter to explain his need, or lack thereof, of a pointer finger.

Two of his pass-rushing brethren concurred with this assessment, but said there may be some small challenges on the road back to the field.

Kevin Greene, who has the third-most sacks in NFL history, said the missing finger could create some issues, but shouldn't hold a pass rusher back. Greene, a linebacker who played for the Rams, Panthers and 49ers for 15 years before retiring in 1999, played with a cast after breaking his hand in a preseason game and said that is much more difficult than playing with a missing finger. 

"My initial thought is, it may not be a factor," said Greene, who led the league in quarterback takedowns twice. "If he’s able to stick his hand in there, blocking people out and extending, being able to shed blockers, I don’t know if one finger is gonna mean a whole world of difference.”

He said JPP is a player who relies on his speed to do his job. If his athleticism is there, No. 90 should be fine.

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For Greene, the more important question was whether Pierre-Paul has stayed in shape. If he has been binge watching "Bojack Horseman" because the hand injury made it difficult to workout his upper body, there may be some concern.

But Pierre-Paul used Instagram last week to dispel any concerns about him being able to at least bench press.

 

Getting back right. #90PC

A video posted by Jason Pierre-Paul (@iamjasonpierrepaul) on

Pollak said Pierre-Paul would lose some grip strength, but not as much as if he'd damaged his small finger or ring finger. Greene also thinks the difference in grip is negligible. 

"If you leave your index finger out, and just put your middle finger, ring finger and pinky and you clench them all together then put your thumb over your three fingers, you don't have any problem with grabbing any cloth at all," he said.

Jeff Zgonina, a retired 17-year NFL defensive tackle, said weakened grip could be a difference maker, however. The 2000 Super Bowl champion said with how big and fast today's quarterbacks are, linemen need to use anything they can to bring them down.

Luis Castillo, who had 19 sacks in a seven-year career with the Chargers, said the grip isn't as big of a concern as JPP's ability to comfortably line up in his stance. Defensive linemen switch their hands depending on the direction they want to push or pull offensive lineman, so it will be important to see how it affects Pierre-Paul.

"As an interior lineman you have to use your hands more than a pass rusher. It's not like he's always in the three technique and is asked to control an offensive lineman. There's very little gripping he has to do, unless they're in run contain," he said.

"But I'd be interested to see his stance, because as an edge rusher, you're trying to get so much body leaned forward. The stance is like a sprinter or guy going a 40 (yard dash). Most of that weight is on the index finger."

He said stances rely on the thumb, index and middle finger and the ability to explode and jump a snap count to get a good rush. Castillo said he has used a fist before to deal with his hand injuries but it's not ideal. Pierre-Paul could use his left hand while in his stance, but that makes a bigger difference than some might think.

The former Charger said footwork completely changes depending on if a player is on his left or right hand. 

"You study their steps and then you study where you want to be by the time you reach the offensive lineman so you're in a position that you can go either inside or outside," Castillo said. "So if you're switching your hand, you're switching your feet, and if you switch your feet, you take one, two, three steps and the wrong foot might be planted."

Overall, Castillo said JPP should be ready to play, since these are small challenges that seem beatable. Still, Zgonina, who amassed 26 sacks over his career, said it's a hard injury to judge.

“It’s gonna be more or less, how he comes back from it. You can't say anything until he plays or practices. Is he able to grab things, is he able to adjust to missing a finger?” Zgonina said.

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Pollak said the injury should take 12 to 16 weeks to heal. Since Pierre-Paul's injury occurred July 4, and the amputation occurred July 8, JPP is nearing the 12-week threshold. But another issue arises in this mess — contract negotiations.

The Giants rescinded a $60 million contract for the Pro Bowler after the fireworks accident. They are now waiting for him to sign a $14.8 million franchise tender. Pollak said contract uncertainty coupled with the chance of re-aggravating the hand while playing, makes it easier for the Giants to delay JPP's return. 

"When you got a risk of [re-injury] happening, particularly in the type of behavior that led to this injury, you probably want to keep him at arm’s length until he’s much better so your risk is lower," he said. "Once it becomes an inside football injury and not outside football, you own all of the care for it from a pure worker's compensation standpoint. My experience with the NFL is that [salary cap implications] are more of a driver than a medical risk."

Pollak said structural damage is not a big concern. Instead it's the chance JPP can re-injure tendons by playing in a game or practicing. Infection is also a risk if there are open wounds on the damaged hand and fingers. 

As of now though, the ball's in Big Blue's court. If the front office believes more damage can come from football activity, the safe route could be to hold out JPP until at least Halloween, after the allotted healing time. And from the owner to the coaching staff, there is some uncertainty on whether he can play at all this season .

For his game readiness, however, the doctor said he has seen great performances with worse injuries to fingers and hands. Pollak said players have played great postseason games with untreated fractures in their hands.

Greene said he couldn't imagine a hand injury deterring JPP from dominating. If it were him, Greene would never let that injury keep him out. 

“Just think about making tackles. He’s not tackling anybody with his index finger, he’s gonna try to drill somebody, I would think," he said. "If the man is hungry in his heart and he wants to be a stone-cold hunter, as all good pass rushers do, then he shouldn't let it slow him down. I wouldn't let it slow me down. A hunter's heart will show itself no matter what lil' ailments you may have. Put some bubble gum on this injury, rub some dirt on it and I'm still gonna be a hunter."

It sounds like exactly what the 1-2 Giants desperately needs. JPP undoubtedly has the same plans for himself. 

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