Getty Images

Optimism abounds regarding the ability of Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul to return from a fireworks injury that resulted in the amputation of his right index finger. But with multiple fractures in his right thumb, the process will be unusual and complicated.

Sunday Night Football Sports Medicine Analyst Mike Ryan, who served as the Head Athletic Trainer in Jacksonville for 20 years, explained the challenges Pierre-Paul will face.

“The thumb injury for JPP is concerning for two reasons,” Ryan said. “First of all, having what’s been reported as multiple fractures probably involves the joints of the thumb and not just bone fractures. Joint fractures would significantly alter his rehab plan.

“Secondly, the fact that these fractures occurred from what the military refers to as a ‘blast injury,’ compared to a blunt trauma injury typically associated with football, the skin and soft-tissue damage from the high temperatures from the explosive device tend to be extensive.”

Ryan believes that the wound from the amputation will heal in roughly four weeks, but that the thumb fractures could required six-to-eight weeks. Ryan also believes any skin grafts and donor sites will heal completely within that same window.

A wild card, as Ryan explains it, arises from when doctors will allow Pierre-Paul to start sweating through the new tissue, and when he’ll be permitted to use his right hand aggressively. Even then, it’ll take time to get to his maximum level of performance.

“The combination of a lost index finger and a painful thumb will negatively impact his initial function on the field with his right hand,” Ryan said. “His wide grip strength will suffer because of that amputation. With creative thumb splinting and additional healing time, I would expect him to resume his high level of play when his thumb pain resolves.”

So it won’t be easy and it won’t be typical, but Pierre-Paul eventually should be able to return to the field and perform at a high level. His uncertain contract status, however, adds a sense of urgency, since he’ll lose more than $870,000 for each week of the regular season that he misses — unless the Giants promise to pay his full $14.8 million regardless of whether he’s on the non-football injury list to start the campaign.