New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard could be too sick to play vs. Chiefs
By Matt Conner
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard was added to the injury report after feeling sick on Saturday, making him a game-time decision.
The emergence of Sterling Shepard has been one of the few bright spots on the New York Giants offense so far this season, but it looks like his team will have to host the visiting Kansas City Chiefs without him. Reports have leaked that he’s not only sick but suffering from migraines before Sunday, making him “unlikely” to play.
Giants’ WR Sterling Shepard, added to team’s injury report Saturday with illness, is unlikely to play vs Chiefs, per source. But team wants to first test him in pre-game warmups before making any determination.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2017
For now, Shepard is listed as questionable for the Giants, who could use any bit of offensive firepower they can get in a year that the defense is often fatigued due to staying on the field for way too long. The Chiefs bring one of the league’s best overall offenses into town, which is going to make it important for Eli Manning and company to keep the chains moving. Doing so without Shepard, a second-year receiver, will make it that much more difficult.
The Giants aren’t without offense targets, and Chiefs fans will likely appreciate the skills of Evan Engram in particular on Sunday, but Shepard has been a solid target for Manning so far in 2017. This year he has 38 catches for 475 yards and 1 touchdown. He’s on pace to best last year’s impressive totals as a rookie sans the eight touchdowns he scored in 2016. Just last week, Shepard had 11 catches for 142 receiving yards.
If Shepard is truly unable to play, the Giants will be down to the likes of Roger Lewis and Tavarres King on Sunday. That bodes even better for Kansas City.