While trying to pry loose a stubborn cable staple that fastens a 14-gauge electrical cable to a stud, I accidentally tore a very small hole through both the outer jacket and the insulation around the neutral wire, exposing the bare conductor inside. The damage is located halfway between the electrical box and the 5/8" hole in the frame's bottom plate where the wire disappears to beneath the floor somewhere. The hole is but a mere dot measuring at about 1/32" in diameter.
Is it okay to repair this tear with electrical tape? The copper wire itself was not damaged. I am hoping someone isn't going to tell me that NEC requires me to repair the damaged section by replacing it with a new wire and installing a junction box or something.
Update: Right now, it's between shirlock homes and SteveR for the answer. SteveR brought an excellent option to my attention, and that is to expose the junction box on the other side of the wall since, in my case, it happens to be a closet. shirlock homes recommends wrapping the damaged neutral wire with insulating tape then taping up the jacket. I like this idea, but if it's not NEC compliant then I think SteveR will get the answer.