Bucs outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul has been banged up since Week 2. He missed games against the Rams and the Patriots, before returning with a club on his hand against the Dolphins. Leading up to the Bears game, Pierre-Paul did not practice and was listed as questionable. But the veteran edge rusher played and posted his best performance of the season.

Pierre-Paul finished the game with four tackles, two-for-loss, two sacks and a quarterback hit. After the game, Pierre-Paul revealed the details on his injuries.

“I think my performance tonight, I did a great job dealing with the injuries I’m dealing with,” Pierre-Paul said. “Broken finger split in two pieces. A torn rotator cuff. I’m just out there giving it my all for my teammates. That’s the beauty of it, when you actually win the game and you’re going through things. We got some hurt players, but we’re still going to do what it do.”

When asked what is more painful to play with, the finger or the shoulder, Pierre-Paul didn’t hesitate.

Bucs OLB Jason Pierre-Paul – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“The shoulder,” Pierre-Paul said. “As a pass rusher you’re basically pushing, ripping through a lot of stuff. But that’s what I signed up for. This game of football, nothing comes easy. I’m going to have to play through it and we’ll figure it out later.”

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians also had high praise for the banged-up outside linebacker.

“He’s a warrior,” Arians said. “I told him last week, you just get to Sunday. Whatever it takes, get to Sunday. You don’t have to practice, I know what you’re going to do. He almost knocked a strip out over on the tight end. Got around the quarterback a bunch. Just the energy he brings and the way he plays the game. I’ve never been around too many warriors like him.”

Pierre-Paul believes the rest he received during the week helped him perform at a high level on Sunday.

“For sure,” Pierre-Paul said. “I think with the rest that I had, it put me in a position to play even more than practicing and getting banged up in practice. Coach looked out for me and just told me do what I need to do to get to Sunday. I’m doing the recovery I need to do and doing a lot of stuff I need to do as a vet. You can’t heal on your own, so I’m seeing the people I need to see. I got through Sunday and we got a great victory. I’m just joyful, man. I’m happy.”

The Bucs will need Jason Pierre-Paul to continue making an impact with the Saints on the schedule next Sunday.