Jason Pierre-Paul appeared in eight games for the New York Giants last year, and the club he wore over his injured right hand may have been one of the reasons he was only able to record one sack. Fortunately, the star defensive end won’t have to worry about that this season.
Pierre-Paul told reporters on Thursday that he no longer needs a club, cast or special glove to protect his right hand. In fact, he claims his right hand — which is missing an entire index finger and part of a thumb — feels no different from the left.
“I’m not worried about no club,” Pierre-Paul said, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. “My hand feels great. No complaining, no nothing. I’ve been training hard, been getting after it and getting ready to play some football. The club isn’t going to be an issue or anything. My right hand feels like my left hand.”
Pierre-Paul, who had another surgery during the offseason, said he does not need clearance from team doctors to continue wearing no additional support on the hand that was mangled in a fireworks accident.
“I don’t have to prove anything. It’s free will,” he said. “I know I don’t need nothing to go out there to protect myself. I feel comfortable in using my hand and striking with it and hitting with it. I’m very excited to show people, ‘Hey, nothing has changed.'”
As someone who recorded 12.5 sacks two years ago and is playing under a one-year contract, JPP has plenty to prove. He struggled at times to make tackles while wearing a cast (video here), so it must be a relief to get rid of it.
If you’ve seen the latest glimpse Pierre-Paul gave us at his surgically-repaired hand, you might find it hard to believe the hand feels no different from his left. His performance on the field will say a lot.
