BLUE SHIPS SHEP TO IR
Sterling out for at least 3 games due to turf toe; Freeman on field
Sauon Barkley isn’t the only major Giants injury on offense. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard (turf toe) went on injured reserve on Wednesday, meaning he must sit out at least the next three games.
Head coach Joe Judge said no one is hanging their heads.
“We’re not going to raise the white flag on anything,” Judge said. “Our guys are going to fight straight on through.”
Veteran running back Devonta Freeman officially signed his one-year contract and practiced as the Giants (0-2) seek to replace Barkley (torn right ACL), who is out for the season.
But acclimating Freeman quickly enough to contribute in Week 3 adds another challenge approaching Sunday’s visit from the San Francisco 49ers (1-1). Dion Lewis, Wayne Gallman and Eli Penny also can handle the ball out of the backfield.
“We’re excited to get him on the grass and start working with him,” Judge said of Freeman, a longtime Falcon. “We just got him in the building, so this will be a day of trying to catch him up and build him into the game plan. Obviously, he has a lot to learn going into Sunday. But we’re going to do our best to get him ready for Sunday if we can do that.”
With Shepard out, meanwhile, the only healthy receivers on the Giants’ active roster are Darius Slayton, Golden Tate, Damion Ratley and C.J. Board. Undrafted rookie Austin Mack would be the most likely practice squad call-up if the Giants don’t sign a free agent soon.
Corey Coleman and Alex Bachman are both free agents that had good training camps and know the offense, but as of Wednesday afternoon the team had not reached out to either, per sources.
Ratley, a 6-2, 200-pounder claimed off waivers from the Browns after cutdown day, out-snapped Board 27-to-11 on offense in Chicago last Sunday. But Board has five catches for 49 yards on five targets through two games compared to Ratley’s zero catches on three targets.
The Giants claimed Board off waivers from the Jaguars on Aug. 13.
“These guys both have decent length and a lot of speed. That’s the first thing that really steps out to you,” Judge said of Ratley and Board on Wednesday. “Damion was new to our program a couple weeks ago. He’s made a lot of improvement these last couple weeks. Stepping up for us, making plays in practice. It gives us a lot of confidence to put him in the game. C.J.’s had production as we’ve worked. I would hope that would improve based on how he’s picked up on the offense and what he’s been able to do. He’s also had some impact for us in the kicking game.”
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said his defense is not sleeping at all on Evan Engram, either.
“They’ve got a tight end who’s as good as anyone in this game,” Shanahan said.
San Francisco has its own rash of injuries to deal with, as well, led by the devastating loss of second-year edge rusher Nick Bosa to a torn ACL, similar to Barkley.
“Saquon is a great player. Anytime you have a great player like that, a great talent, it’s always a huge difference not having him in,” Shanahan said. “Very similar to what they’re looking at probably with our defense too and us losing a great player like Nick.”
Judge, asked if Engram can be used creatively to give the Giants a boost, said it would help if everyone chipped in. Engram has just eight catches for 74 yards on 15 targets so far.
“I think we have to use all of our weapons,” Judge said. “Whether that’s running back, tight ends, receivers. That’s any game plan, regardless of who’s up and who’s not. [Offensive coordinator] Jason [Garrett] has to put some ways to get Evan out there and get him the ball. They’re working hard on that right now. We want to be creative but at the same time we’ve got to make sure we’re playing within our offense. We’re not just trying to invent something for the sake of doing it.”
The Giants’ injury report for Wednesday included two limited safeties: Sean Chandler (hamstring) and Adrian Colbert (quad). Outside linebacker Carter Coughlin (hamstring) was a full participant after missing Sunday’s game in Chicago.
The Giants also signed center Javon Patterson to their practice squad. Patterson is a 2019 seventh-round Colts draft pick. He spent 2019 on I.R. with an ACL and was cut by Indianapolis on Sept. 5.
The Niners’ injury report was way longer, in addition to the season-ending ACL tears for Bosa and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), running backs Tevin Coleman (knee) and Raheem Mostert (knee), defensive end Dee Ford (back) all did not practice on Wednesday. Garoppolo is only one with a chance of playing Sunday, but Shanahan said backup QB Nick Mullens most likely will start.
Tight end George Kittle (knee) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) were limited, and corner Jason Verrett (hamstring) was full.