Turf toe kicks aside receiver Shepard for at least three weeks
Say goodbye to Sterling Shepard until at least midOctober.
The Giants’ starting wide receiver was put on shortterm injured reserve Wednesday, meaning he must miss at least the next three games before he can return to the active roster. He came away limping late in the second quarter of Sunday’s 26-16 loss in Chicago after hauling in a 24-yard catch. He suffered a turf toe injury, which can be quite painful and can take at least a month to fully heal.
The feeling inside the organization is this injury should not take much longer than three weeks to heal.
Shepard tried to shake off the injury after halftime, but lasted only one snap.
“Sterling’s going to do everything he can to get healthy and back,’’ coach Joe Judge said. “He’s a tough dude. I got a lot of respect for him, the way he tried to go in early in the second half, playing through pain.’’
Shepard, 27, had eight receptions for 76 yards in the first six quarters this season. His spot on the roster was taken by running back Devonta Freeman, signed to a one-year contract worth up to $3 million. Freeman was summoned after star back Saquon Barkley was lost for the season with severe damage to his right knee — a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a partially torn meniscus.
Losing Shepard is a blow to the offense. Left to pick up the pieces are Golden Tate and Darius Slayton. C.J. Board and Damion Ratley become the third and fourth receivers — not exactly the way the Giants drew it up.
Board has seven NFL receptions, including five with the Giants this season. Ratley had 25 receptions with the Browns the past two years.
“I think they’re both different than Sterling,’’ Judge said. “Everyone has their own individual tool sets. These guys both have decent length and a lot of speed. That’s the first thing that really steps out to you. 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.’’
There are four receivers stashed on the practice squad: Johnny Holton, Aus- tin Mack, Derrick Dillon and Binjimen Victor.