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Bucs lineman Jason Pierre-Paul practices with club on right hand due to ‘sore finger’

Bucs defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul participated in Thursday's practice wearing a bulky club on his right hand.
 
Published Nov. 15, 2018|Updated Nov. 15, 2018

TAMPA — Bucs defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul participated in Thursday's practice wearing a bulky club on his right hand, which head coach Dirk Koetter attributed to a sore finger.

He was a full participant in Thursday's practice, according to the Bucs' injury report, which indicated Pierre-Paul has a hand injury.

At times, Pierre-Paul has had to wear a club since a fireworks injury to his right hand that forced the amputation of his right index finger and the tip of his right thumb while severely damaging his middle finger before the 2015 season.

But since Pierre-Paul joined the Bucs — who acquired him from the New York Giants in a trade in March — he's used a custom-fitted glove, and he's shown no limitations while playing well. Pierre-Paul leads the Bucs with eight sacks and 13 quarterback pressures.

Whether Pierre-Paul will have to wear the club this Sunday when the Bucs face his former team at MetLife Stadium remains to be seen, but it adds a wrinkle into a game in which Pierre-Paul is especially motivated to perform well.

As recent as last December with the Giants, Pierre-Paul played with his right hand clubbed, which seemingly puts him at a disadvantage on the field because he can't use his fingers to grab opponents with that hand. December was the first time Pierre-Paul had to wear a club since he first returned from the firework injury during the 2015 season.

Pierre-Paul has been listed on recent injury reports with shoulder, ribs and foot injuries but hasn't had any issues with his hand this season, and has played in all nine games this season.

He said Wednesday that he's had this week's game against the Giants — his first game against his former team — circled on his calendar since his acrimonious departure.

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.