JPP, Giants to meet
PHILADELPHIA — The Giants last saw Jason PierrePaul on Labor Day and, after examining his damaged right hand, determined he was not close to being ready to begin football activities. They suggested he check back in six weeks.
So, as the Giants prepare to face the Eagles on Monday night, PierrePaul will return this week to try to convince the team he can play after the July 4 fireworks accident that caused permanent damage to his hand. The meeting will take place Tuesday.
If he is deemed healthy enough to play — a long shot — there will have to be negotiations on his franchise tag, which now stands at a maximum of $9.587 million for the season, a reduction from the $14.81 million tag he left unsigned in the summer because he will have missed the first six games of the season. A deal must be signed by Nov. 17, or PierrePaul must sit out the entire season.
PierrePaul reached out to the Giants, according to FOX Sports, asking the team to work with Nike to come up with a specially designed protective glove he could wear in games. The Giants declined that request because PierrePaul is not under contract. In addition to having his right index finger amputated, he also had the top portion of his right thumb removed and has damage to his right middle finger.
The Giants have not really replaced PierrePaul, and their pass rush has been almost nonexistent at times this season. They have seven sacks in the first five games and no player has more than two. Odell Beckham Jr. rode the bus.
That’s the best news the Giants could have hoped for Sunday as they made the short ride down the New Jersey Turnpike for Monday’s game. Beckham is dealing with a hamstring issue and, after not practicing all week, was set to test his leg during Sunday’s rigorous walkthrough. He showed enough to accompany the Giants, a positive sign he will be able to play.
Beckham tweaked his hamstring in the second half of last week’s 3027 victory over the 49ers and had to come off the field. He talked his way back into the game, and in the closing minute of the gamewinning drive, drew a key pass interference penalty. Beckham’s pregame warmup will be critical Monday night.
The only Giants not traveling were CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), LB
Devon Kennard (ham
string) and WR Victor
Cruz (calf ).
Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he is hoping to have the time to make his personnel substitutions amid the fastpaced chaos and confusion the Eagles attempt to create on offense.
“I’m hoping the officials help us,’’ Spagnuolo said. “By rule, when they change people — I’m talking about the Eagles — we’re supposed to be allowed the opportunity to get our personnel in there. Does that always happen that way in the game? Not always.”