Osi Umenyiora: Jason Pierre-Paul is happy to be alive
By David Kenyon
Although Jason Pierre-Paul remains sidelined, former New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora believes JPP is simply happy to be alive following a fireworks accident.
According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Umenyiora said Pierre-Paul, who had a finger amputated as well as other issues with his right hand, is mentally in a good place.
“He’s in good spirits. He seems happy. He’s just happy he’s alive. You know what I mean? [With] all the stuff that he went through.”
Umenyiora admitted he doesn’t know when JPP will return to football, but it’s paramount for the 26-year-old to get completely healthy.
“Listen, he just needs to get healthy first. As soon as he does then he will get out here. Obviously the team needs him. I think it is obvious for everybody to see that. We know what type of player he is.”
The Giants defense has made due without Pierre-Paul, though it hasn’t always been pretty. New York has the sixth-worst defense in terms of yardage but has still managed to give the offense a chance to win in each game.
Since losing fourth-quarter leads during the opening two contests of the 2015 season, the Giants have recorded three straight wins—including a final-minute win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5—heading into a Monday Night Football showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A victory would put New York in a terrific early-season place in the NFC East standings, but there’s little hope for a playoff run including Pierre-Paul.
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