The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to redeem themselves in 2019, but they'll be out with one of their leading pass-rushers for most of Bruce Arians' first campaign down south. Outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul — who led the team in sacks last season with 12.5 — suffered a neck fracture during a car wreck in May.
Currently on the NFI list (non-football injury), Pierre-Paul may be forced to miss the entire season, or as more recent reports indicate, at minimum its first half. But the former First-Team All-Pro is keeping his head held high during these trying times, recently taking to Instagram to share some motivational words.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1OlcIdAIQr/?utm_source=ig_embed
Pierre-Paul has faced his fair share of obstacles throughout his nine-year career. On July 4, 2015, he suffered a severe hand injury while lighting fireworks at his house, the result being an amputated index finger as well as deformed fingers. Though he struggled to come back initially, wearing a giant club, he eventually returned to his old All-Pro form.
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.
Hopefully, the 30-year-old Pierre-Paul will be healthy enough to be back on Top 100 lists in the future.
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