Tom Coughlin contradicted an ESPN report Friday, saying he is unaware of any doctors telling Jason Pierre-Paul to sit out the Giants’ final three games — starting with Sunday’s matchup at home against the Seahawks — to rest his ailing right shoulder.
Coughlin didn’t sound optimistic the fourth-year defensive end would be cleared to play the rest of the way for 5-8 Big Blue, but he said the team hasn’t made anything official to Pierre-Paul.
“I don’t know who would advise him of that,” Coughlin said when asked whether Pierre-Paul had been advised to shut it down. “He won’t be cleared until the doctors feel that there’s one particular part of the injury that is not going to occur. With the remaining games, we’re all in the same boat.”
Pierre-Paul has been inactive each of the past two games because of the injury, which Coughlin described Friday as a “strain.”
Pierre-Paul told reporters this week he didn’t think the condition would require surgery, but Coughlin wasn’t so certain Friday. The coach described the situation as fluid — with a resolution he hopes is coming soon — and didn’t rule out an operation.
“I’m not a doctor,” Coughlin said. “I only know that, at this point in time, if they can avoid [surgery], they will. And if they can’t, there will be a surgery.”
Pierre-Paul waited until late in the offseason this year to have surgery on his back, which hampered his preparation for training camp and the regular season. That and the subsequent shoulder problems resulted in another disappointing season for the Giants star, who has just 2.5 sacks.
Coughlin sounded as if he would demand Pierre-Paul have surgery as soon as possible on the shoulder if it is merited to avoid a repeat of last offseason.
“If there’s something required, no doubt it would be done right away,” Coughlin said. “It would have to be done right away.”
No matter what happens with his shoulder, 2014 will be a pivotal season for Pierre-Paul. The former first-round pick is entering the final year of his contract and needs to have a big season to cash in.