Report: Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul's index finger amputated after fireworks incident

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul underwent a procedure to have his right index finger amputated Wednesday after being hospitalized with a hand injury stemming from a Fourth of July fireworks incident, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Though the surgery would indicate that Pierre-Paul's injuries were far more severe than first reported in the days following the incident, his playing status for the 2015 season isn't expected to be jeopardy.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that the final decision to have the finger amputated was made by Pierre-Paul, and that doing so will simplify the recovery process he now faces in the weeks ahead.

With a shorter timeline that could set him up for a return to the field in less than two months, the 26-year-old could conceivably have an opportunity to be available at some point early on in the year, if not for the Giants' Week 1 opener Sept. 13.

In addition to the injury to his index finger, the star pass-rusher also suffered fractures to his right thumb that will take six weeks to heal, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.

When members of the Giants organization attempted to visit him in the Florida hospital this week, Pierre-Paul turned away the club's contingent and refused an offer to be set up with hand specialists back in New York, FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo reports.

Long having proven himself as one of the league's most explosive pass-rush talents, the Giants used the franchise tag to keep Pierre-Paul off the free-agent market earlier this year, extending the one-year tender that would see him earn $14.8 million if signed.

Though the two sides weren't thought to be closing in on a long-term deal ahead of the July 15 negotiation deadline, New York reportedly withdrew a $60-million offer upon learning about his injury, according to Rapoport.

Given the relatively favorable prognosis and timetable for recovery, however, it remains likely that Pierre-Paul signs the one-year tender and readdresses his contract situation with the team ahead of free agency at the end of the season.

Pierre-Paul has appeared in all but five regular-season games to this point in his five-year career, earning two trips to the Pro Bowl and one First-Team All-Pro honor since joining the Giants as a first-round draft selection in 2010.