NEWARK, N.J. -- Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and the New York Giants have agreed to a contract more than three months after he damaged his right hand in a fireworks accident in Florida.
The team announced the deal late Tuesday.
Pierre-Paul met with the team over the past two days and was given the OK to play by team doctors. Negotiations on a new contract followed since the Giants were not willing to have him sign the franchise tender that was offered before the July 4 accident.
Under that deal, Pierre-Paul would have made $871,000 per game. That was too steep a paycheck for the Giants since they are not sure how well he will be able to perform with the injury.
The new deal is believed to be loaded with incentives.
Steelers: QB Ben Roethlisberger set to start
PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger is back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the news on Tuesday, saying the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback is preparing to play Sunday against unbeaten Cincinnati after missing four games with a sprained knee and bruised leg.
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"We don't have any reservations or limitations about his availability," Tomlin said. "As I sit here today, we are comfortable with where he is in his overall availability this week."
Roethlisberger initially feared the worst after he left in the third quarter of a September win at St. Louis, but he was relieved to learn the injury didn't end his season (see full story).
Texans: Team releases QB Ryan Mallett after travel gaffe
HOUSTON -- Ryan Mallett finally ran out of chances in Houston and was released by the Texans on Tuesday.
The Texans released the quarterback after he missed the team's charter flight to Florida this past weekend.
They announced the decision on Tuesday and also placed Arian Foster on injured reserve, a day after coach Bill O'Brien said he would miss the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon injury.
The 27-year-old Mallett said he missed the flight because of traffic and he took a commercial flight to meet the team in Miami, where the team was blown out 44-26 and fell to 2-5 (see full story).