Jason Pierre-Paul returns to Giants on one-year deal

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Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Jason Pierre-Paul is returning to the New York Giants on a one-year deal for up to $10.5 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

The Arizona Cardinals had made a late push for the defensive end, a source said. On Instagram, Pierre-Paul thanked organizations that reached out to him, especially the Cardinals.

The Giants had designated him their franchise player in 2015, which would have meant a one-year, $14.813 million contract and free agency again this year.

Unfortunately, Pierre-Paul lost his right index finger and damaged other parts of his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident, scrapping any chance he had of a long-term deal last summer and calling his football future into question. He stayed away from the team throughout the summer and didn't return until late October, at which time he and the Giants worked out an incentive-laden deal for just the remainder of 2015.

Pierre-Paul, 27, played in the team's final eight games and wore a heavy "club" wrap on his right hand, which limited his ability to tackle. He had just one sack in spite of being a disruptive presence in opposing backfields due to his still-elite burst off the ball.

Following the season, Pierre-Paul had surgery on his right middle finger that he said he hoped would allow him to bend it and grip better, so that he could play without the club on his hand going forward.

He was the Giants' first-round pick in 2010 and burst onto the scene with 16.5 sacks during the team's most recent Super Bowl title season in 2011. Back and shoulder injuries limited his production and playing time over the two seasons that followed, but he finished 2014 with nine sacks in his final five games and a season total of 12.5.

ESPN Giants reporter Dan Graziano contributed to this report.

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