Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Right about now, the Tampa Bay Bucs could use some reinforcements.
A defensive player, maybe. A pass rusher. Someone who can make a defensive back’s job easier.
You know, someone like Jason Pierre-Paul.
Pierre-Paul remains close to a return for the Tampa Bay Bucs. He still needs some time to kick off the rust, but he’s not far away. Pierre-Paul, who had 12 1/2 sacks a year ago, has missed the early part of the season with a neck injury.
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"He’s come back from some serious stuff, and he’s kind of a freak of nature as far as healing,” coach Bruce Arians said. “He has a great belief in his faith and I think sometimes that helps heal you.
“(Leadership) is a huge thing because he has been one of the vocal leaders for a long time, and not having his presence – I can already feel the difference. Obviously, he’s feeling his way football-wise, but the rest of it – last week, going out to practice, coaching, doing all those things, giving young guys advice – it’s fantastic.”
Pierre-Paul sounds ready to join the fight.
“To be honest, it felt great,” Pierre-Paul said. “It’s been a long journey, but I still got a lot going on – but it’s been great working with my teammates. I feel good – superb.”
When might he return?
“I have no expectations,” Pierre-Paul said. “The moment they release me to go out there, I’ll be out there. Right now, I’m good, I’m back practicing, so we’ll see.”
Pierre-Paul would like to share a huddle with Shaq Barrett.
“He’s a good player,” Pierre-Paul said. “I can’t wait to get out there with him. Like I said, I’ve got a lot of work to do in a short amount of time, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Not a lot of players come back from a neck injury.
“Not a lot of people come back from blowing up their hand, too,” Pierre-Paul said. “I had no doubts. Everything is good right now. I’m on the right track, I’m keeping forward and I’ve got a lot to do in a short amount of time. That’s all I can say.”
PIerre-Paul’s recovery time will help determine when he can play,
"It’s how he feels, how he’ll feel tomorrow after this practice,” Arians said. “A lot will depend on how he feels Thursday after Wednesday practice in pads, and we’ll just judge it from there.”
Arians said that quarterback Jameis Winston was better Tuesday.
“He’s excellent – had a good practice today,” Arians said. “He’s had bad games before – he knows how to shake them off.”
Arians said the reports that the team was ready to move on from Winston are “good speculation.”
The Bucs are at the Titans at 1 p.m. on Sunday
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