Dean Michaels

The New York Giants announced that defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul underwent a successful surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back in Los Angeles.

The Giants said the 24-year-old Pierre-Paul would recover from the surgery in 12 weeks. He played with the back injury last year and received multiple epidural injections to get through the season.

"My back has been bothering me for a while, and even last season I played through some back issues," he said. "The treatment I've been doing has helped manage the issue, but this procedure is going to get me fully healthy and there should be no more pain."

"I'm going to do everything the doctors tell me to do during my rehab so I can be back playing the game I love at a high level as quickly as possible," Pierre-Paul added.

A source said Pierre-Paul will be ready for the start of the 2013 season and should be 100 percent.

"The timing of his return to football will depend on his response to the rehabilitation program. We anticipate a full recovery," said Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the surgery.

The injury played a part in the drop in Pierre-Paul's production last season. From 16.5 sacks in 2011, he tallied just 6.5 sacks in 2012.

"I was always in great shape," Pierre-Paul said. "I'm still the same size this year. People say I look slimmer but I'm the same weight.

"I was not big last year," he added. "I was 273 and I'm 274 now. If they want me to lose weight, I can do it that fast."

Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul Undergoes Back Surgery - NFL 2013