The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received a positive sign in Jason Pierre-Paul's status to play in the 2019 season on Monday. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, “Pierre-Paul has been cleared by [the] club and independent doctors to resume rehab activities.” Per Pellisero, it's “still a process to be cleared to play, but positive steps after [a] rare and serious injury.”
Pierre-Paul suffered a neck fracture in a single-car wreck in May. Earlier today, he attended training camp for the first time without the neck brace that he wore for months. That is undeniable a good sign since he no longer needs stabilized support for his neck, post-surgery.
On Friday, the defensive end took to Instagram to show off his shedding of the brace.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1kfH4fgF_6/?utm_source=ig_embed
On Tuesday, he was spotted at training camp free from the brace.
Cam Brate, Lavonte David, Vita Vea and Mike Edwards, were out of practice.
Jason Pierre-Paul did not practice either, but he was in attendance watching the rest of his teammates, having a conversation here with David. pic.twitter.com/AULtvZUMOa
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) August 27, 2019
Though Jason Pierre-Paul is making proper steps for his return, Tampa Bay continues to have him on the NFI (non-football injury) list, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Via Laine, the next step is “to be decided.”
Pierre-Paul's return to the gridiron probably won't happen anytime soon, considering the severity of the injury. But, being on the field without the brace is a marked improvement to making it back by the mid-season mark.
In his first year with the Bucs, Pierre-Paul started in all 16 games. He recorded 12.5 sacks, 46 combined tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. His efforts led to an appearance on NFL Network’s “NFL Top 100” as the league’s 65th-best player as voted on by his peers.