The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found out some bad news on Tuesday when it was reported that Jason Pierre-Paul could miss the 2019 season after suffering a fractured neck in a car accident last week.
Pierre-Paul, 30, was involved in a single-car accident in South Florida last week.
This is the second time that the defensive end has suffered a bizarre injury resulting from an accident. In 2015, while celebrating the 4th of July, a firework exploded in Pierre-Paul’s hand, causing him to have his right index finger amputated.
While the length of his absence from football is still unconfirmed, this could mean that the Bucs’ defensive line will miss one of its biggest pieces for the entirety of next season.
Pierre-Paul signed a four-year, $62 million contract with his former team, the New York Giants, in February 2017. He made two Pro Bowls and won one Super Bowl in his time with the Giants.
The Giants traded Pierre-Paul to Tampa Bay before the 2018 season. In his first year as a Buc, the Florida native recorded 12.5 sacks, leading the team, and 58 total tackles.
While it seems unlikely that the defensive end will be able to play next year, Tampa Bay will have its fingers crossed that he’ll be able to return at some point.
