Shepard waits it out
WR not sure if he’ll be back to face Lions
Sterling Shepard hasn’t been able to make his way back to the playing field since suffering a concussion in the Giants’ 28-10 loss to the Vikings in Week 5. He doesn’t have a timetable for getting back on the field, but has been making the best of his time off the field.
“Ah, it’s hard for me to say.” Shepard said while advocating for the installation of more changing tables in restrooms for Make A Difference Day at MacArthur Playground. “Don’t really know yet. I’ll have to talk to the doctors this week and see where their head is at with it. So, I’ll find out tomorrow.” Shepard followed up and said he wasn’t sure about his status against the Lions in Week 7.
Like just about every competitive person, Shepard hasn’t enjoyed watching his team from the sidelines — especially while the Giants sputter during a three-game losing streak. “It’s been tough.” Shepard said with a sigh. “It’s never fun watching your brothers go out there and play, especially when you’ve been grinding with them the whole offseason and a couple games throughout the season.”
The Giants haven’t really been able to see their offense at full power for a variety of reasons. Golden Tate missed the first four games of the season with a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, Saquon Barkley missed time with a high ankle sprain, Evan Engram had a knee injury, and Shepard has been dealing with the concussion.
“Hopefully we can get everybody back and healthy in one game.” Shepard said. “I saw something on Instagram the other day that was like, we haven’t all played with each other yet. It’ll be great when we can get everybody back out there and they’ll hold it down for when I get back.”
Again, there isn’t a timetable yet on a potential return for Shepard, but the fourthyear wide receiver likes the potential of the skill talent once the squad gets back together. “You think the ceiling should be high, but we still gotta go out there and execute.” Shepard said. “Everything looks good on paper with some of the talent that we have, but we gotta go out there and execute. That’s the main focus.”
LINEBACKERS ON THE MOVE
The Giants were busy on the transaction side while the players were off Tuesday. They signed linebacker Deone Bucannon, who played for defensive coordinator James Bettcher as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. To make room for Bucannon, the team waived outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper. … The Giants also signed linebacker Devante Downs to the active roster and released tight end Garrett Dickerson.