Sterling Shepard

New York Giants
Wide Receiver #87
New York Giants
Wide Receiver #87
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Sterling Shepard News

ACL surgery went well

Shepard (knee) said Tuesday that his left ACL operation was a success, and he was rehabbing the following day, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis: Shepard tore his ACL in Week 3 and underwent surgery at the end of October. He's already been placed on IR and ruled out for the 2022 campaign, marking back-to-back seasons ended by devastating injuries. The wideout has already turned his focus toward rehabbing for the 2023 campaign, but given his injury history, it seems unlikely the Giants will rush him back for the start of next season.

Nov 8, 2022 12:01 PM EST


Will undergo surgery Tuesday

Shepard will undergo surgery on his left ACL on Tuesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: Shepard was placed on IR at the end of September after suffering an ACL tear late in the team's Week 3 loss to Dallas. The wideout rehabbed for over a month before undergoing surgery, which is similar to what teammate Saquon Barkley did, per Stapleton. The 2016 seventh-round pick has suffered devastating injuries in back-to-back seasons and has missed at least five games in all but two of his first seven NFL campaigns.

Oct 25, 2022 11:25 AM EST



No additional torn ligaments

Shepard (knee) did not suffer any ligament tears in addition to his ACL, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Shepard is likely to undergo surgery in one or two weeks, and his recovery timetable will be made somewhat more manageable with the news that he's avoided additional ligament damage. The longest tenured Giant will focus his efforts on recovering for the 2023 campaign, which will be his age-30 season. He is scheduled to become a free agent in the coming offseason.

Oct 5, 2022 11:58 AM EST


Moved to IR

Shepard (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Shepard made it back from last year's Achilles tear and was the most reliable target for QB Daniel Jones early this season, but the veteran suffered an ACL tear at the end of the Week 3 loss to Dallas. He'll turn 30 next offseason and is scheduled to become an un restricted free agent.

Sep 28, 2022 1:44 PM EST


Tears ACL, done for season

Head coach Brian Daboll announced Tuesday that Shepard suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in the Giants' Week 3 loss to the Cowboys and will miss the remainder of the season, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Just as the Giants had feared, Shepard fell victim to another significant lower-body injury in Monday's contest, after he had made a full recovery from the torn left Achilles' tendon he sustained last December to make it back for Week 1. The wideout will likely undergo surgery in the coming days, and even if he avoids any snags during the recovery process, his poor track record on the health front could make it difficult for the 29-year-old to secure anything more than a one-year deal on the open market when he hits free agency this offseason. With Shepard -- who led the Giants with 13 receptions for 154 yards through three games -- out of the picture, New York will have to hope that Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) and Kadarius Toney (hamstring) can overcome their own injuries to provide a needed lift to a struggling passing game.

Sep 27, 2022 9:18 AM EST



Season may be over

Shepard is scheduled to undergo additional tests Tuesday on the left knee injury he suffered in Monday's 23-16 loss to the Cowboys, and the Giants fear that the receiver's season could be over, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Initial tests on Shepard's knee weren't conclusive, but the 29-year-old looks like he could be headed for another long-term absence after he was limited to just seven games in 2021 due to a hamstring injury, a left quadriceps injury and a torn Achilles' tendon. He made it back from Achilles surgery to suit up Week 1, only to go down with a non-contact knee injury in the final minutes of Monday's loss. Through the first three weeks, Shepard had been the top receiver in a banged-up Giants wideout room, logging 13 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown on 24 targets.

Sep 27, 2022 6:27 AM EST


Carted off after non-contact injury

Shepard was carted off late in Monday's game against the Cowboys after suffering an apparent knee injury, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis: Shepard was injured on New York's last offensive play of the game. He got hurt without any contact and immediately clutched his leg in pain. The context around Shepard's injury suggest this could be another serious injury for the wide receiver, though New York will run additional tests to determine its nature and extent.

Sep 26, 2022 8:30 PM EST


Garners 10 targets

Shepard caught 6 of 10 targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 19-16 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Shepard led the Giants in receptions and targets. Despite his involvement, though, Shepard didn't manage to accumulate much yardage. Still, with teammate Kenny Golladay hardly seeing the field Sunday as his role continues to decrease, Shepard could profile as New York's top wideout heading into Week 3's game versus Dallas.

Sep 18, 2022 1:48 PM EST


Finds end zone in Week 1

Shepard caught two of four targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-20 win over the Titans.

Analysis: With the Giants down 13-6 in the third quarter, Shepard got free deep and hauled in a 65-yard TD pass from Daniel Jones. That was enough to lead the Giants in receiving, as no other New York player reached 60 yards. Shepard hasn't stayed healthy enough to reach 100 targets in a season since 2018, but he saw more volume in Week 1 than Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney combined, and the veteran could prove to be the team's most reliable option at wideout in 2022.

Sep 11, 2022 6:16 PM EST


Ready for Week 1

Shepard (Achilles) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Tennessee, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Analysis: Despite suffering a torn Achilles against the Cowboys on Dec. 19, Shepard has made a quick recovery in time for the 2022 season opener. He was a limited practice participant in practice Wednesday through Friday, so his reps could be capped Sunday. Still, Shepard's presence means the Giants will have their top four wide receivers available this weekend (also, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and Wan'Dale Robinson).

Sep 9, 2022 12:21 PM EST


To be game-time call

Coach Brian Daboll said Friday that he wants Shepard (Achilles) to be a game-time decision for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Titans, Tom Rock of Newsday reports.

Analysis: It remains to be seen whether Shepard will be limited in Friday's practice, but it sounds like the veteran wideout's status will come down to the wire in any event. Considering that he's less than nine full months removed from a left Achilles tear, there's no guarantee that Shepard handles a complete assortment of offensive snaps Week 1 even if he does suit up.

Sep 9, 2022 8:39 AM EST


Estimated as limited participant

Shepard (Achilles) was listed as a limited participant on Thursday's estimated practice report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Analysis: The Giants didn't hold a traditional practice Thursday, so Shepard will be listed as limited for the second day in a row after his reps were capped during Wednesday's session. Shepard will look to upgrade to full activity Friday, which would bode well for his chances of being cleared to play in Sunday's season opener versus the Titans.

Sep 8, 2022 9:37 AM EST


Limited Wednesday

Shepard (Achilles) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Analysis: Less than nine months removed from tearing his left Achilles last December, Shepard already has been activated from the PUP list (Aug. 24) and said he expects to suit up Week 1 (Tuesday). After a 2021 season in which the Giants cycled through numerous receivers beyond their top core, all of Kenny Golladay, Shepard, Kadarius Toney (leg) and rookie Wan'Dale Robinson appears as if they'll be available this weekend. Confirmation on Shepard's status still may come down to 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at Tennessee.

Sep 7, 2022 12:35 PM EST


Expects to play Week 1

Shepard (Achilles) said Tuesday that he's "ready to go" for the season opener against Tennessee on Sunday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Shepard tore his Achilles in game against Dallas on Dec. 19 last year, but he's been working his way back and was activated from the PUP list near the end of training camp. The veteran receiver didn't play in any preseason games, yet Raanan reports that he "did not appear to be limited at all" during practice Tuesday. Shepard's return should be a significant boost to the Giants' passing game, though he has struggled to remain healthy in recent seasons, playing in no more than 12 contests in any of the past three campaigns.

Sep 6, 2022 6:49 PM EST


Coming off PUP list

The Giants are activating Shepard (Achilles) from the PUP list for Wednesday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Analysis: This rules out the possibility of being on the reserve/PUP list to start the regular season, which would mean an automatic absence of at least four games. Shepard may or may not be back Week 1, but the Giants apparently think he can be ready at some point in September. His return could impact rookie Wan'Dale Robinson, who has been the No. 3 receiver with the first-team offense throughout training camp and preseason. Then again, Shepard also has experience lining up on the perimeter, where the Giants face the challenge of keeping Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay healthy and productive.

Aug 24, 2022 9:20 AM EST


Could be ready soon

Shepard (Achilles) has a chance to be activated from the PUP list before Week 1, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: If he isn't activated before Week 1, the veteran slot receiver will be ineligible for the Giants' first four games. Activation therefore would imply that the team expects him to be ready at some point in September, if not for the regular-season opener. There's some question about Shepard's role and usage even if he's cleared soon, as rookie second-round pick Wan'Dale Robinson has been the No. 3 receiver and main slot guy with the first-team offense this summer. If that continues, Shepard could still get on the field as a sub for starters Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney, a duo that's long on talent but perhaps short on durability and consistency. Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record believes Shepard has a shot to be ready for Week 1.

Aug 23, 2022 6:46 AM EST


Ramping up activity

Shepard (Achilles) is running routes Thursday and ramping up his practice workload, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Analysis: Shepard remains on the PUP list as he works his way back from a torn left Achilles suffered Week 15 last season, but beginning on-field rehab work is a notable step in the right direction. The Giants figure to continue easing Shepard back toward a full practice load with caution, as the team has Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney (leg) and rookie second-rounder Wan'Dale Robinson handle three-receiver sets in the meantime.

Aug 18, 2022 8:44 AM EST


Lands on PUP list

The Giants placed Shepard (Achilles) on the PUP list Tuesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Analysis: Shepard had a lengthy history of lower-body injuries even before he tore his Achilles in Week 15 last season. He started jogging again toward the end of May and isn't ready to practice at the beginning of training camp. Once he's ready, Shepard could face snap competition in the slot from 2021 first-round pick Kadarius Toney and 2022 second-rounder Wan'Dale Robinson.

Jul 26, 2022 12:01 PM EST


Coming along in recovery

Shepard started jogging again last week for the first time since suffering a torn Achilles in December, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

Analysis: Shepard's recovery from the injury, which he suffered in Week 15 last year, seems to be on track as Giants general manager Joe Schoen previously indicated that he hoped the wideout would be back by August. With that in mind, Shepard mentioned to Anderson that there's no pressure when it comes to his exact return date and that he's been limited to taking mental reps and catching balls from the jugs machine while working at the Giants' facility this offseason. The 29-year-old, who finished fourth on the team in receiving yards during his injury-riddled 2021 campaign -- hauling in 36 catches for 366 yards and one touchdown over seven games -- has appeared in 29 total games across the past three seasons.

Jun 2, 2022 1:18 PM EST


Could return by August

GM Joe Schoen noted Monday that he's hopeful Shepard (Achilles) will be back by August, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Shepard, who tore his Achilles back on Dec. 19, has made good progress in his recovery, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger. That said, the wideout figures to be eased into the training camp/preseason mix by the Giants, with an eye toward giving him a shot to be available for Week 1 action. Prior to his injury, Shepard recorded 36 catches for 366 yards and a TD in seven games, and once he's up to speed, the 29-year-old will look to re-establish his role in a WR corps that also includes Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and Darius Slayton.

Mar 28, 2022 3:24 PM EST


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