Tom Pelissero reports that Buccaneers’ veteran DE Jason Pierre-Paul has been cleared by team and independent doctors to resume rehab activities after fracturing his vertebrae in a car wreck in early May.
Pelissero adds that there is “still a process” for Pierre-Paul to be cleared to play, but this news is a clear positive step toward his full recovery. He is currently on Tampa Bay’s non-football injury list.
Last we heard regarding Pierre-Paul, Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians told Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times that he doesn’t expect him to return until sometime in October.
“I would think so, just to be safe and not rush it,” Arians said. “And knowing him, he’s one of those fast healers, so. I hate to put a time limit on it, but the earlier the better. As long as he’s healthy.”
Pierre-Paul suffered a fractured vertebra after he was involved in a car accident. After receiving several opinions on his fractured vertebra, Pierre-Paul decided to not undergo surgery, which left him with a five- or six-month timetable.
Pierre-Paul, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Giants back in 2010. He played out his rookie contract with New York before agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract that includes $40 million guaranteed.
The Giants later traded Pierre-Paul to the Buccaneers last year for third- and fourth-round picks.
Pierre-Paul stands to make base salaries of $13,250,000 (2019) and $11,250,000 (2020) over the remainder of the contract.
In 2018, Pierre-Paul appeared in 16 games for the Buccaneers and recorded 58 tackles, 12.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two pass defenses.
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