The Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain unsure when pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul will be able to suit up this year, but the expectation remains that he'll miss at least a portion of the season.
Coach Bruce Arians told Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times that he doesn't anticipate JPP playing at least until sometime in October.
"I would think so, just to be safe and not rush it," Arians said. "And knowing him, he's one of those fast healers, so. I hate to put a time limit on it, but the earlier the better. As long as he's healthy."
Pierre-Paul suffered a neck injury in a one-car accident early last month. He decided to hold off on surgery after receiving several opinions on his fractured vertebra, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported in May.
JPP could re-evaluate the situation down the line to see if surgery is the best option, but at this stage, that decision would likely end his season.
Arians suggested last week that Pierre-Paul's injury could have a six-month timeline, which would put his return in December. The coach's comment this week provides a little more optimism, but it seems clear JPP won't be on the field to start the season.
