Jason Pierre-Paul is back.
The two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, who suffered serious injuries in a July 4 fireworks accident and has yet to play this season, reached an agreement with the Giants on Tuesday, enabling him to report to the team and begin his return to the field.
The Giants have a two-game roster exemption on Pierre-Paul, a period in which he is expected to participate in football drills.
"We all are excited to see Jason," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He has worked very hard to get himself back into position to join the team and work toward getting on the playing field on Sundays." So what does the reunion mean for his linemates?
Giants.com examines the depth at defensive end:
KERRY WYNN
Check out photos of DE Kerry Wynn from the 2014 season
2015: 7 G, 5 GS, 35 Tackles (4 TFL), 2 QB Hits, 1 PD
All five of Wynn's starts came at left defensive end, the opposite side of where Pierre-Paul racked up the majority of his 42 career sacks over five years. Wynn currently leads all Giants defensive linemen in tackles and has been a force against the run. His four tackles for losses lead the team. After breaking out late last season, Wynn has yet to record a sack in 2015 while the defense as a whole ranks second-to-last in the NFL with nine total.
ROBERT AYERS JR.
Check out photos of DE Robert Ayers from the 2014 season
2015: 3 G, 3 GS, 7 Tackles (2 TFL), 1.0 Sack, 5 QB hits, 1 FF, 3 PD
After missing four weeks because of a hamstring injury, Ayers returned to the field last week against Dallas and recorded two quarterback hits and a pass defended. He started at right defense end, where he has played all season.
CULLEN JENKINS
Check out photos of DT Cullen Jenkins from the 2014 season
2015: 7 G, 6 GS, 11 Tackles (2 TFL), 2.0 Sacks, 3 QBH, 1 PD
Jenkins is the most versatile of the defensive linemen, as well as the most experienced. The 12-year NFL veteran, who was the runner-up to linebacker Jon Beason in votes for defensive captain, has started four times at left defensive tackle, once at left defensive end, and once at right defensive end. A game captain for five of the last six games, Jenkins has held down the fort while Pierre-Paul was away and is second on the team in sacks.
GEORGE SELVIE
Photos of Jason Pierre-Paul and George Selvie playing at USF
2015: 6 G, 3 GS, 19 Tackles (1 TFL), 0.5 Sacks, 4 QB Hits
In his first season with the Giants, the former Cowboy has started twice at right defensive end and once on the left side. He will be reunited with Pierre-Paul, a college teammate of his at South Florida. At the time of his signing in March, Pierre-Paul said, "I think that's a great pickup. He's a good player. George can play the run and rush the passer. From the film I've watched, he's gotten better as a player."
DAMONTRE MOORE
2015: 6 G, 13 Tackles (2 TFL), 3.0 Sacks, 9 QB Hits, 1 FF, 1 FR
The Giants' current sack leader was inactive for the win over the Cowboys, the reasoning of which stayed between player and coach. "Damontre Moore is a skilled athlete who we'll again look at the plan and see exactly where we stand," Tom Coughlin said. "If we can include him, then we will."
OWA ODIGHIZUWA
2015: 4 G, 3 Tackles
After dealing with foot issues, the rookie third-round draft pick made his NFL debut in a Week 4 victory over the Bills and made two tackles. However, he suffered a hamstring injury last week, and the Giants will await his status.
