Jason Pierre-Paul Giants
Jason Pierre-Paul could miss several more games because of his hand injury. Getty

The fireworks incident that cost New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul his right index finger appears to be even worse than the team originally thought. A new report states that the team’s top defensive player lost the tip of his thumb, in addition to injuries to his other fingers.

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, Pierre-Paul had surgery on his right middle finger just three days before he was examined by the Giants last week. It was the first time that the 26-year-old met with the team since the July 4 accident. Prior to the meeting, it had only been reported that Pierre-Paul was missing his right index finger and he suffered a fractured thumb.

As more information about Pierre-Paul’s injury becomes public, it seems less and less likely that the defensive end will be on the field anytime soon. In July, it was reported that he had a chance to play in Week 1, but it was later reported that a return in October would be more realistic. Graziano reports that the Giants don’t expect to see Pierre-Paul for another five or six weeks.

But Pierre-Paul remains optimistic that it won’t be long before he gets back on the field. One source told ESPN that Pierre-Paul is only missing a small portion of his thumb and it won’t significantly affect his recovery.

Pierre-Paul lost “a ton of weight,” according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, because the injury prevented him from working out. He led the Giants with 12.5 sacks last season.

New York lost their 2015 season opener to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night and lacked a significant pass rush. Tony Romo threw for 356 yards, and wasn’t sacked once.

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