Owner disappointed Jason Pierre-Paul refused to meet with Giants

New York Giants owner John Mara addressed Jason Pierre-Paul’s hand injury for the first time Tuesday.

New York Giants owner John Mara addressed Jason Pierre-Paul’s hand injury for the first time Tuesday in an interview with the New York Post. 

Mara said it was “disappointing to him” that Pierre-Paul refused to meet with Giants officials when they traveled to see him at a Florida hospital earlier this month. 

Pierre-Paul was injured in a fireworks accident on July 4 and had his right index finger amputated as a result. In addition to the amputation, NFL.com reports Pierre-Paul also had surgery to insert pins into a broken thumb and could be out until the end of training camp. The Giants have not seen the extent of Pierre-Paul’s injuries, Mara said.

• Justin Tuck says JPP will be unaffected by loss of finger

“He has told people that he’s fine and he’s going to be ready to play, but until we see the hand, we’re just not sure,” Mara told the Post. ​

Though they haven’t met face-to-face, Mara and Pierre-Paul have communicated since the accident. Mara said he sent Pierre-Paul a text message not long after he was injured.

“He texted me back right away, said he was going to be fine, that it’s just a little bump in the road and that he’ll be back as good as ever,” Mara told the Post. “I know Jerry [Reese] has texted him and I know he’s had some communication with Robert Nunn, his defensive line coach, and I think Ronnie [Barnes] spoke to him recently.”

Before the accident, the Giants placed the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul. He did not sign a long-term contract extension before the July 15 deadline and has yet to sign his $14.8 million franchise tender. The Giants can rescind the tender but that would make him a free agent. 

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Pierre-Paul has recorded 286 tackles, 42 sacks and eight forced fumbles over his five seasons.

- Dan Gartland