JPP works on being role model

Giants defensive end Jason PierrePaul willingly and gratefully has adopted two new responsibilities in his life: father and role model.

And as role model, PierrePaul last week reached out to an 11yearold Pennsylvania boy who lost parts of two fingers in a bicycle mishap. PierrePaul seriously injured his right hand, losing his index finger, while risking his career in a July 4 fireworks accident. So the 6foot5, 278pounder sought out the injured youngster through FaceTime.

“People don’t know what other people are going through. I’m just blessed, not saying this was fortunate to happen to me, but I’m a role model and it happened,” PierrePaul said after Giants practice Monday. “A lot of kids are like, ‘What is he going to do now?’ Now, it’s just continuing to do what I do. They got discouraged, but he’s OK and he’s in good spirits now.”

PierrePaul reached out to kids before his accident, but seems to be more active in doing so — especially since the premature birth of his son, Josiah, 11 months ago. Like any proud papa, PierrePaul was talking about his son, born at seven months, who now is about ready to walk and is a healthy 35 pounds.

“I’m a father myself and my son, he doesn’t know better. He’s learning, getting ready to talk and walk,” Pierre-Paul said. “There’s only so much I can tell him. He’s going to look up to someone other than me. When a role model tells you something’s going to be OK, it’s going to be OK.”

➤ Neither center Weston Rich

burg nor left guard Justin Pugh practiced Monday. Richburg exited the Giants’ last game, against the Patriots, with a sprained left ankle. Pugh is in concussion protocol.

“There’s nothing broken. It definitely could have been worse. I don’t want to miss any time. I’m hoping later this week I can get out there and see what I can do,” said Richburg who labeled his injury “a high ankle sprain. … We’re trying to get back obviously as soon as I can so it all depends on how the ankle takes the rehabbing.”

Pugh did not play last week after experiencing headaches the previous week. The Giants thought he would play against New England but he was not feeling well and was scratched the morning of the game.

“It’s been a continuous process. He won’t be able to do anything until he meets all the conditions [of the concussion protocol],” coach

Tom Coughlin said.