JPP: I’ll play Sunday despite my injuries
The Giants are in better shape than the injury report suggests.
Shortly after defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said he was “concerned” and preparing for the possibility of being without the team’s top two defensive ends — Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/knee) and Olivier Vernon (ankle), who both missed practice for the second straight day Thursday — Pierre-Paul confirmed that he will be on the field Sunday against the Chargers.
“Of course I’m playing Sunday. There’s no question,” Pierre-Paul said. “[I] definitely expect to practice Saturday and be playing Sunday. It’s not a secret. Everybody that knows me knows I’m going to play.”
According to Pierre-Paul, his sprained shoulder isn’t an issue for him because he’s been dealing with for “a while.” Nor, does he believe it excuses his admittedly underwhelming play recently.
“What I put on film wasn’t me. That will never happen again,” said Pierre-Paul, referring to Sunday’s loss against the Buccaneers. “To be honest, I’m not playing my best ball. We haven’t won a game yet. I’ve got to step up big time, and I’m pretty sure other guys are going to step up too, the leaders.”
Whether Vernon will contribute is unclear. After leaving the past two games early because of injury, Vernon could be in danger of missing his first game in his six-year career.
“Just the competitor in me is like I don’t want to miss a game and not be out there for my teammates,” Vernon said. “The main thing is to get healthy so I can be out there longevity-wise and help contribute.”