Jason Pierre-Paul Says He Won't Wear Club, Will Participate In Giants' Offseason Workouts

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jason Pierre-Paul is shedding the club he wore over his mangled right hand last season.

In a conference call Tuesday, the Giants defensive end who lost his index finger and the tip of his thumb in a July 4 fireworks accident, said his hand "is perfectly fine."

Pierre-Paul, who last week signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal to return to the Giants, underwent surgery on the hand Dec. 30, which aimed to improve his dexterity.

"I'm capable of lifting weights, closing and gripping and all that," he said. "My surgery turned out pretty well."

JPP would not say whether he will undergo more surgeries on the hand, but said he plans to participate in the Giants' offseason programs.

"I am just excited that I have a chance to play football, man," he said. "Do what I love to do, come back to New York and play one year and show the fans and show everyone in the organization that Jason Pierre-Paul can still play some ball."

Some wondered if Pierre-Paul would ever be able to play football again. The two-time Pro Bowler didn't make his season debut until Nov. 8 and registered one sack over eight games.