New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has a seasoning-ending injury.
On Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys, the Oklahoma native suffered a non-contact knee injury when he was running a route.
Unfortunately for Shepard, the injury occurred with just over a minute remaining in the game.
Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed to reporters today that it was a torn ACL, ending his season just three games in.
It was a tough break for the Giants – and some blamed the turf at MetLife Stadium for the injury.
In fact, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had some words to say about it after the week one win against the New York Jets.
“That turf was matted down, it was packed down, it was a little tight,” he said.
“Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be. I don’t know, but that’s what I saw. It was a little tough.”
Last year, Shepard appeared in just seven games, catching 36 passes for 366 yards.
In week 15, Shepard tore his Achilles.
But the question now is what’s next for the Giants.
In the short term, it’s an opportunity for receivers further down the depth chart to earn more playing time.
Also, 2021 first-round pick Kadarius Toney looks like he is trending towards not playing in week four due to a hamstring injury.
If that’s the case, Darius Slayton and David Sills could be in line for more playing time in week four.
Slayton in three seasons with the Giants has more than 1,800 receiving yards.
However, he does not have a reception in two games this year.
Longer term the Giants could look at the trade market and free agency.
In fact, the Giants have been rumored to be interested in an Odell Beckham Jr. reunion and could sign him once he’s eligible to return from injury in November.
However, that may be tough to squeeze in, as the Giants don’t have a lot of cap space.
Via trade, the Giants could look at New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims, who has requested to be moved.
The 2020 second-round pick has not appeared in a game this year and probably wouldn’t cost a lot to acquire.
The 2-1 Giants will face the Chicago Bears at home next week.
