Giants injury report: Shepard, Ballentine out, Bucannon active

The New York Giants have issued their final injury report before this week’s showdown with the Detroit Lions.

They will once again be without wide receiver Sterling Shepard as he goes through the concussion protocol. Likewise, the team lists rookie cornerback and kick returner Corey Ballentine out with a concussion.

As we’ve maintained since Shepard suffered his second concussion in a month’s time, he should be given as much time as he needs to come back healthy. Shepard maintains that he is symptom free, but no chances should be taken after suffering two concussions so close together.

The Giants have confirmed that recently signed free agent safety-linebacker hybrid Deone Bucannon will be active for Sunday’s game. What and how much of a role he plays will be one of the storylines to follow this week.

And finally the Giants have confirmed that running back Saquon Barkley, receiver Cody Latimer, and EDGE Lorenzo Carter were all full participants in practice. Just how healthy Barkley is remains to be seen, but even a more-human than normal version of Barkley is an asset against a shoddy Lions’ run defense.