ESPN Sport Science - Jason Pierre-Paul and SMARTSPEED
New York Giants star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul reportedly had his right index finger amputated following a July 4 fireworks incident, but it remains unclear if and when he can return to the field.
ESPN"s Adam Schefter reported the news late Wednesday, tweeting out Pierre-Paul"s medical chart as proof. Schefter also reported that Pierre-Paul plans to play in 2015.
Pierre-Paul, 26, remains hospitalized in south Florida. He also suffered fractures to his right thumb, which could take up to six weeks to heal. The Giants open training camp on July 30.
RELATED: Bucs" C.J. Wilson reportedly loses two fingers in fireworks accident
Schefter posting Pierre-Paul"s medical information on Twitter briefly caused a firestorm on social media, with several people including Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison questioning Schefter"s ethics and arguing he had violated federal medical privacy laws by doing so. However, the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act commonly known as HIPAA applies only to medical professionals, not journalists, as Forbes notes.
The New York Daily News reported Thursday that Pierre-Paul"s chart might have been leaked to Schefter by someone in the player"s inner circle. Giants officials reportedly traveled to south Florida on Wednesday with plans to meet with Pierre-Paul, but apparently never did so.
Pierre-Paul is considered one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL, having totaled 12.5 sacks and having earned his second Pro Bowl bid in 2014. He was designated the Giants" "franchise player" for 2015, but has not yet signed his one-year, $14.5 million contract for this season.
The Daily News also reported that Pierre-Paul being placed on the NFL"s "non-football injury" list to start the 2015 season is a "certainty" should he sign his contract. If so, he would be sidelined until after Week 6.
Neither the Giants nor Pierre-Paul"s camp has made any public comment regarding his health or playing status since the fireworks incident.
Source: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/07/new_york_giants_jason_pierre-p.html
