Tag: Sterling Shepard

Giants’ Sterling Shepard feeling great after concussion fears

New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard has been informed by doctors that he is not at risk of long-term concussion issues.

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard told reporters after the team’s 19-14 loss to the Bears in Chicago on Sunday that doctors do not believe he will have any long-term effects from the two concussions he suffered this season.

Shepard returned to action on Sunday after spending the previous five games in the NFL concussion protocol. He was finally cleared last Friday.

The fourth-year wideout, who was a second round pick out of Oklahoma in the 2016 NFL Draft, caught five passes against the Bears, but gained a total of just 15 yards. He also had 22 yards rushing on an end-around.

The Giants have had quite a few players in the protocol this season. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins, left tackle Nate Solder, tight end Rhett Ellison, cornerback Corey Ballentine, defensive lineman Olsen Pierre, running back Wayne Gallman, linebacker Tae Davis, wide receiver Cody Latimer and linebacker Nate Stupar have spent time in the protocol. Pierre, Davis and Stupar are no longer with the team.

This week, wide receiver Golden Tate will be in the protocol after sustaining a blow to the head catching a 23-yard touchdown in Sunday’s game.

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Shepard, Jenkins, Solder clear concussion protocol, will play Sunday vs Bears

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will play this Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will play this Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins and Nate Solder were also cleared and are ready to go as the 2-8 Giants attempt to snap their six-game losing streak.

Shepard was recovering from his second concussion this season and had not played since the Giants’ Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Jenkins and Solder were both concussed ring the Giants’ Week 10 loss to the Jets and recovered over the bye week.

Shepard’s return gives rookie quarterback Daniel Jones his full complement of wide receivers this week, but as fate would have it, tight end Evan Engram (foot) will miss another game as will TE Rhett Ellison (concussion).

In his four starts this season, Shepard was targeted 34 times, catching 25 of them for 267 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed four times for 42 yards. It will only be the second game this season that Shepard and Golden Tate will be on the field simultaneously.

Giants’ Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison out vs. Bears

New York Giants tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison are out for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

The New York Giants have clung to the hope that tight end Evan Engram (foot) would make his return against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, but those dreams were dashed on Friday.

Although Engram did not suffer a setback, he simply wasn’t able to get the required clearance and will be an injured inactive on Sunday alongside fellow tight end Rhett Ellison, who was also ruled out with a concussion.

In the absence of Engram and Ellison, the Giants will rely on Scott Simonson, Kaden Smith and possibly Garrett Dickerson, who currently resides on the practice squad.

“[Simonson] came back in really good shape, physical shape. Mentally, he’s done a nice job getting caught up to speed in terms of what we’re doing now. It really helps having a guy that has been here kind of knowing what we do and how we do things. It was good to have him come back,” tight ends coach Lunda Wells told reporters on Friday.

In some much-needed good news, wide receiver Sterling Shepard, left tackle Nate Solder and cornerback Janoris Jenkins did not receive an injury designation, which means all three are likely to clear concussion protocol on Friday night or at some point early on Saturday prior to traveling to Chicago.

All three will meet with the independent neurologist before being cleared.

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Giants injury report: Rhett Ellison unlikely to play vs. Bears

New York Giants tight ends Rhett Ellison (concussion) and Evan Engram (concussion) are unlikely to play against the Bears in Week 12.

Prior to practice on Thursday, New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur revealed that tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) would not participate and is unlikely to be cleared in time for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

As the team’s best blocking tight end, that creates problems for the Giants which are likely to be compounded by the absence Evan Engram (foot), who also sat out of practice on Thursday.

If both Engram and Ellison are unable to play, the Giants will lean on Scott Simonson, Kaden Smith and potentially the recently re-signed Garrett Dickerson, who currently resides on the practice squad.

Meanwhile, left tackle Nate Solder (concussion) appeared to be a limited participant in the portion of practice open to the media, but was given a full participation designation by the team.

Finally, cornerback Janoris Jenkins (concussion) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) were once again practicing in full and remain on track to potentially play on Sunday.

Here’s a look at the team’s official injury report for Thursday:

Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (foot) and TE Rhett Ellison (concussion)

Limited participant: N/A

Full participant: LT Nate Solder (concussion), C Jon Halapio (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion), RT Mike Remmers (back) and WR Sterling Shepard (concussion)

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Giants’ Sterling Shepard could make unexpected return vs. Bears

New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard (concussion) could make an unexpected return in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears.

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New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has missed the team’s last five games with a concussion, which is his second concussion this season, but may now be ready to return this week for the Giants game in Chicago against the Bears.

Shepard last played on October 6 against the Minnesota Vikings and has not been able to pass the league’s concussion protocol since.

On Wednesday, Shepard practiced in full for the second time this week, and although he remains in protocol, the Giants are optimistic he could return as soon as this week.

“You are in the protocol until you are not,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “A lot of times what happens is they get cleared at the end of the week [and practice] with the anticipation that they will be cleared.”

Shepard missed one game earlier this season with a concussion but was cleared to play two weeks later. This second injury has been more troubling, with the Giants being extra cautious by sending Shepard recently to a specialist in Pittsburgh for additional treatment and advice.

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Giants injury report: Evan Engram misses practice again

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday, but were without tight ends Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison.

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The New York Giants are hopeful that tight end Evan Engram (foot) returns in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, but early indications are not yielding much optimism.

Engram was not on the field during Monday’s practice, telling reporters afterwards that he had an initial 2-to-4 week recovery timetable and that he had only just shed his boot, but remained encouraged by his progress.

“[A return] this week, towards the end of this week, that’s the plan. Just keep building on that,” Engram said. “It’s definitely possible, I feel good. We’ll see where we’re at (in the) middle to the end of this week. I’m staying locked in in meetings, game plans and stuff like that, that’s very important as well. I think as long as I stay prepared mentally and continue to do what I do with my foot, I could be ready to go.”

In the 48 hours since Engram shed his boot, there haven’t been many forward strides. In fact, Engram remained sidelined on Wednesday during the media portion of practice, putting his Sunday return in jeopardy.

In addition to Engram, fellow tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) was limited to individual drills off on the side, leaving Big Blue exceptionally thin at the position.

On the plus side of things, offensive linemen Nate Solder (concussion/personal matter), Jon Halapio (hamstring) and Mike Remmers (back) all appeared to be practicing in full.

Ditto wide receiver Sterling Shepard and cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who appear to be nearing an exit from concussion protocol but have not been cleared as of yet.

We will share the full injury report below when the Giants release it later this afternoon.

Did not participate: TE Evan Engram (foot) and TE Rhett Ellison (concussion)

Limited participant: LT Nate Solder (concussion)

Full participant: C Jon Halapio (hamstring), CB Janoris Jenkins (concussion), RT Mike Remmers (back) and WR Sterling Shepard (concussion)

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6 things to watch for over the Giants’ final six games

Here are six things (plus more) to watch over the final six games of the New York Giants’ 2019 regular season.

There’s not a whole lot to root for in these 2-8 New York Giants, but fans will be looking for any signs of life– and hope — in Pat Shurmur’s team over the last six games of this lost 2019 season.

Fans are shedding themselves of as many tickets as they can for the remaining three home games (Week 13 vs. Green Bay, Week 15 vs. Miami and Week 17 vs. Philadelphia) and there won’t be a ton of viewers watching on television, either, as the Giants close out their sixth losing season over the last seven years.

But there are a few things to watch for. I like No. 6, so I narrowed (or expanded) the things to watch to that number for the heck of it.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Shurmur

Is he coaching for his Giants life? It doesn’t look like they’ll better last year’s record of 5-11, but if he can only win two or three of the last six games and the team is still a disorganized mess, do the Giants look to move on?

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Giants’ Sterling Shepard may return this season after all

New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard (concussion) practice in full on Monday and is remarkably close to returning yet again.

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New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard was placed into concussion protocol for the third time this season ahead of a Week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys, leading many to speculate whether or not his career was in jeopardy.

Shepard has suffered at least five concussions dating back to High School, and two of those came over a four-week span earlier this season. And the back-to-back concussions have been substantial enough to keep Shepard off the field for a combined six game thus far in 2019.

Rather than shutting him down for the season, the Giants have remained patient with Shepard, hoping to get him back before the season comes to a close. And as fate would have it, that hope may come to fruition.

Shepard was a full participant in practice on Monday, an indication that he has once again reached the final step of the league’s concussion protocol.

“They’re still going through it, so we’ll see what the week brings. But we’re encouraged that they’ll make it through,” head coach Pat Shurmur told reporters of the multiple players on concussion protocol.

Given the severity of concussions and their long-term impact, the Giants had better tread lightly before thrusting Shepard back out onto the field.

The last time Shepard cleared concussion protocol, he managed to get in just a single practice before symptoms returned. Needless to say, the Giants and their staff must be extra vigilant when it comes to the young receiver, who had made it abundantly clear that he still wants to play football despite some pressure from his inner circle to consider retirement.

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Giants practice report: Evan Engram remains sidelined

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday and just about everyone was a go other than TE Evan Engram (foot).

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday ahead of the team’s Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears, and while there won’t be an official injury report until Wednesday, we were able to test the pulse on several injured players.

On the positive side of things, cornerback Janoris Jenkins (concussion), wide receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion), right tackle Mike Remmers (back) and center Jon Halapio (hamstring) were all on the field and participating.

Additionally, tight end Rhett Ellison (concussion) was working on the sideline with a trainer while rookie offensive lineman George Asafo-Adjei, who is on injured reserve with a concussion, was spotted riding a stationary bike for the first time in months.

Unfortunately, not all was positive on the injury front as tight end Evan Engram (foot) remained sidelined and unable to practice despite coming off of the team’s bye week.

Finally, offensive lineman Nate Solder was not at practice. The team said he was excused for a personal matter and is expected to return this week.

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Dr. Oz wants to see Sterling Shepard’s brain

Dr. Oz wants to see the brain of New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard and discusses whether or not the youngster should consider retirement.

Every time an NFL player suffers a well-publicized injury, doctors from across the country rush to have their voices heard, and the extremely popular Dr. Mehmet Oz is no different.

Prior to the New York Giants’ Week 10 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, Oz was asked about Sterling Shepard, his multiple concussions and what he might recommend for the wide receiver.

“Sterling Shepard may join other very talented athletes who retire early from their sport because of concussions,” Oz told TMZ Sports. “Professional athletes feel more pressure to perform physically, but Shepard has a long career ahead of him doing other things, but his mind has to remain intact.

“But I wouldn’t rely on whether you’ve had a concussion or not to determine if you retire. You want to actually look to see if there are cognitive changes — are you thinking differently?

“If Sterling Shepard’s brain is still functioning as a young man’s should, then I’m fine with it. If it’s not, he should be reconsidering returning to the gridiron.”

By all accounts, Shepard’s cognitive processes remain the same despite the presence of concussion-like symptoms, but there has been some pressure from his inner circle to potentially consider walking away from the game.

“Biggest advice for [Shepard] today would be start taking your omega-3 fats because we know they make your brain cells more fluid and help them become more resilient to injury,” Oz added. “More importantly, go through some of the simple and basic testing.”

Oz concluded by leaving a standing invitation for Shepard to meet with him at his New York offices.

The Giants have not placed Shepard on injured reserve, and despite the persistent issues, remain hopeful he can return to the field this season.

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