Report: Giants hopeful Pierre-Paul can return for start of playoffs

The New York Giants are hopeful defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will return in time for the wild-card round of the playoffs, sources told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.

Pierre-Paul was initially expected to require a six-week recovery when he underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia Dec. 7.

Raanan's report indicates an expectation that he'd suit up at some point if New York can advance through multiple stages of the poststeason, but the mere chance that he could be available from the outset is a positive development.

Pierre-Paul had done well to bounce back from a difficult 2015 campaign prior to his injury, racking up seven sacks and 53 tackles across 12 starts.

His return to a lead edge role opposite Olivier Vernon would put one of the league's most talented defensive lines back at full strength at the perfect time for a potential playoff run.