The last time New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard stepped on a football field to compete in a regular-season game was in week five, before he picked up his second concussion of the season, sending him into the protocol.
After several weeks of working through his symptoms and returning to non-contact practice, Shepard was expected to return in week nine against the Dallas Cowboys, a highly anticipated game. Shepard was then ruled out on Sunday just before the kickoff of the 1 PM games.
Most didn’t expect Shep to miss a fourth consecutive week, but the reality is, he could miss much longer after feeling ill over the weekend.
New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur commented on his lingering symptoms:
“He practiced fully this week and was limited with no contact the two weeks before that,†said coach Pat Shurmur. “He told (Sr. VP Medical Services/Head Athletic Trainer) Ronnie (Barnes) last evening (Saturday) he didn’t feel well and was sent for examination and evaluation. When he arrived for work this morning, he still did not feel well. At that point, the decision was made to continue in the concussion protocol.â€
Shepard could be out for much longer than a fourth consecutive game, as multiple concussions in one season can lead to significant long-term effects. It’s possible the Giants’ best pass-catcher could miss the remainder of the season if his symptoms don’t dissipate over the next two weeks. Risking his long-term health is not necessary as a 2-6 team.
In his absence, Golden Tate, Evan Engram, and Darius Slayton will lead the passing attack for Big Blue. Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has not enjoyed a game where he has all of his playmakers available, and that streak won’t end on Monday night.
The Cowboys will also be without a starting player:
Dallas starting linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch, is also heading towards an “inactive” designation after suffering a “neck stinger” last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys are also facing a slew of injuries to their offensive line.