Jason Pierre-Paul

has been activated and the defensive end may play for the Giants in today’s game against the Buccaneers.

It’s go time for JPP. The Giants added Jason Pierre-Paul to their active roster on Saturday, signaling and virtually guaranteeing his availability for today’s game against the Buccaneers in Tampa. Until now, the only clues to the defensive end’s progress and readiness to play have been words from players and coaches. Now, finally, there is an action.

The Giants had a two-week roster exemption for Pierre-Paul, so there was no reason for them to add him to the 53-man team until after this game. By doing it before the game, he’s pretty much a lock to make his 2015 debut against the Bucs.

It’s a moment many doubted would ever happen when Pierre-Paul severely damaged his right hand in a fireworks accident on July 4. He had his index finger completely amputated and parts of his thumb and middle finger removed. But Pierre-Paul said this past week that he never doubted his return to the NFL.

“Nope, never,” he said. “Even when it happened, nope. Never thought that I won’t be back playing football. That time off, thinking about my family, that was it. When the doctors said I can play football, OK, let’s go.”

His return will take place in Tampa, where he spent one season in college at the University of South Florida.

“I have some roots there, USF,” he said. “And my son will be there, so I’ll be playing for him.”

Just what the Giants will be able to squeeze out of Pierre-Paul remains to be seen.

Their defense was routed by the Saints last week and they are last in the league with nine sacks through eight games.

“I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team win,” he said. “I’m starting off slow, I’m a little bit rusty. That’s going to happen, no training camp, no nothing. But when I’m out there, I’m giving it my all.”

Unlike other sports that have rehab assignments or minor leagues to work through, the NFL has little to prepare a player for a return, especially one as unprecedented as this. Pierre-Paul has participated in only seven workouts with the team, most of them without full contact, per the collective-bargaining agreement. There is no way to know what he will be able to accomplish during the rigors of an actual game, never mind the final eight on the regular-season schedule.

“You never know until you’re out there. That’s why there’s practices,” Pierre-Paul said, suggesting the workouts were enough. “I’ve been doing good in practice. Coming off any injury, you’ve just got to go out there and have that confidence. I feel confident in myself shooting my hand and doing what I do best: playing the run and getting back there pass rushing. So that’s what’s going to be bring me back.”

In a corresponding roster move, linebacker Jon Beason was placed on injured reserve.

While Pierre-Paul never doubted this day would come, his time away from the sport did allow him to reflect on how close he came to never playing again.

“You can’t take things for granted. They can be taken away from you just like that,” he said.

“But I’m very excited going out there because I got a second chance to do what I love, you know? It could have been taken away, but God spared me. Each moment that I’m out there, I’m giving it my all.

“I have no ‘I could work on this tomorrow,’ ” he said. “That’s not my mindset anymore. It’s do it now or do it never.”

The Giants have chosen now.