Giants’ Sterling Shepard: “No concerns” as he returns from second concussion

[UPDATED: Shepard is back in the concussion protocol and out Monday night. Full story]

Despite having missed four games this season with a pair of concussions New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard said Saturday he has “no concerns” as he prepares to return Monday against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I’ve done everything that the trainers have asked me to do, and I’m just moving forward from here,” Shepard said. “I’m just focused on going forward from here. I’ve listened to everything the trainers have had me do and I feel good. I feel great, I’m ready to go out and play, just focused on going forward.”

Shepard’s first concussion, Week 1 vs. the Cowboys, caused controversy because neither Giants doctors nor NFL concussion spotters noticed a wobbly Shepard when he tried to get up after throwing a block. Shepard did not report the incident and stayed in the game.

After missing the Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills he returned, sustaining a second concussion Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings.

It doesn’t sound like Shepard will be hiding any concussion symptoms going forward.

“I mean, it’s scary getting two concussions, so I definitely will be honest on how I’m feeling and be honest with the trainers,” Shepard said.

Despite the four missed games, Shepard is second on the team with 25 receptions. His return to the lineup marks the first time this season the Giants will have Shepard, Golden Tate, Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram all available at the same time.

“It looks pretty good on paper, we’ve just got to go out and execute,” Shepard said. “We’ve got playmakers, guys that can make big plays, so we’ve got to go out there and execute our job and do just that.”