TAMPA, FL – DEC 02: Jason Pierre-Paul (90) of the Bucs celebrates sacking Cam Newton of the Panthers during the regular season game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 02, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jason Pierre-Paul is seeking multiple opinions from doctors about whether he’ll need season-ending neck surgery.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul might play this season if doctors determine his fractured neck won’t require surgery. Pierre-Paul suffered the neck injury after he was in a one-car accident last week. The news of his injury was only reported on Tuesday.
If Pierre-Paul requires surgery, the rehab process could take between five and six months, effectively ruling him out for the season before training camp even begins.
NFL Media’s Tom Peliserro reports there is hope Pierre-Paul’s neck fracture won’t require surgery. He is sending out the scan results of his neck to other doctors for their opinions before determining the next course of action. Regardless, JPP remains out indefinitely, but there is hope he will play football this year.
Buccaneers general manager Tom Licht released the following statement after reports of JPP seeking more opinions on his neck.
“As we stated last week following the news of Jason’s auto accident, our immediate concern was for both Jason and his passenger. While Jason was treated and released in south Florida the same day of the accident, we wanted to ensure that our medical team had an opportunity to perform a thorough evaluation here in Tampa, and that process is currently ongoing.”
The Giants traded JPP to the Buccaneers last offseason and produced 12.5 sacks in his first year in Tampa Bay. That was his highest sack total since 2014 when he also had 12.5 sacks.