The Sports Xchange

New York Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul is not only missing an index finger but apparently also part of his right thumb.

ESPN reported Tuesday that Pierre-Paul had his right middle finger repaired in an additional surgical procedure and that the tip of his right thumb is gone. The middle finger was repaired before he underwent a physical for the Giants on Sept. 7 and then returned to his home in Florida to work out.

Pierre-Paul severely injured the hand in a July 4 fireworks accident that resulted in the loss of his right index finger. He is hoping to return to the Giants in five to six weeks, but the new reports of additional damage to the hand further cloud his status.

Pierre-Paul has yet to sign a $14.8 million franchise tender for the 2015 season and the Giants might consider rescinding it if he can’t return to the field this year.

–The Green Bay Packers received a major blow when inside linebacker Sam Barrington suffered an ankle injury that might sideline him for the rest of the season, multiple media outlets reported.

There is no definitive prognosis on Barrington’s injury, but the Packers fear the worst at this point, and NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers believe Barrington will miss the remainder of the 2015 season.

–The Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver Brice Butler in a trade with the Oakland Raiders for an undisclosed draft pick to help shore up their receiving corps after Dez Bryant’s injury.

Earlier reports indicated that veteran wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Nick Toon, Austin Pettis and Clyde Gates were scheduled to work out for the Cowboys on Tuesday.

–Veteran offensive tackle Jake Long signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

To make room for Long, the Falcons waived safety Charles Godfrey.

Long, the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 with the Miami Dolphins, made multiple stops to the team’s Flowery Branch, Ga., headquarters for team physicians to gauge his physical readiness to return to football. He was released by the St. Louis Rams and is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

–Running back Raheem Mostert was signed to the Miami Dolphins’ active roster from the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mostert instantly becomes a candidate to return kickoffs for the Dolphins, who released running back LaMike James on Monday.

–Injuries at quarterback sent the Cleveland Browns scrambling for an extra arm, and they added Matt Blanchard to the practice squad as insurance.

Starting quarterback Josh McCown was at meetings and film review on Monday but he remains in concussion protocol, and backup Johnny Manziel will “get the starter’s reps” this week, head coach Mike Pettine said on Monday.

–The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived injured linebacker James-Michael Johnson, and they released tight end Cameron Brate, wide receiver Kaelin Clay and guard Martin Wallace from the practice squad.

Johnson joined the Buccaneers on Sept. 6 after he was claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs.

–The Buffalo Bills released running back Bryce Brown and used the roster spot for defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.

Dareus returns this week after a one-game suspension.

–The Washington Redskins announced they signed free agent cornerback Will Blackmon. The 30-year-old Blackmon is in his ninth NFL season and played the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Redskins also signed cornerback Dashaun Phillips to the practice squad, and released fullback Ray Agnew from the practice squad.

— The Oakland Raiders, who lost two safeties to injuries on Sunday, signed free agent safety Taylor Mays and defensive lineman C.J. Wilson, the club announced.

Starting safety Nate Allen reportedly suffered a torn MCL on Sunday, according to multiple reports, and he was placed on the Reserve/Injured — Designated for Return list on Tuesday. That means he cannot play in a game for at least eight weeks and cannot practice for at least six weeks.

— The New England Patriots released rookie wide receiver Chris Harper.

Harper was signed by the Patriots in May as a rookie free agent from California and was active for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.