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The New York Giants have announced that top wide receiver Sterling Shepard has cleared the concussion protocol. Shepard was cleared by an independent neurologist following his full participation in Thursday’s practice.
#NYGiants injury report 9/19
— Dan Salomone (@NYGsalomone) September 19, 2019
Did not practice: WR Bennie Fowler (hamstring), WR Cody Latimer (concussion)
Limited: WR Darius Slayton (hamstring)
Full: WR Sterling Shepard (concussion), TE Garrett Dickerson (quad), CB Grant Haley (illness), G Kevin Zeitler (shoulder)#NYGvsTB pic.twitter.com/Wl0Myxinjj
It is, obviously, great news for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones for the Giants to get their best wide receiver back from injury in time for his first start. The Giants’ receivers largely failed to create separation against the Buffalo Bills, and the return of Shepard, with his hands and precise, savvy route running, will be a tremendous asset for Jones.
It’s also good news for the Giants as wide receivers Cody Latimer (concussion) and Bennie Fowler (hamstring) both not practicing. Whether or not another rookie, WR Darius Slayton, is healthy enough to make his regular season debut after returning to practice this week. Slayton suffered a setback prior with the hamstring injury which kept him out for most of training camp prior to week 1. The team might be hesitant to play Slayton until they are absolutely sure his hamstring injury is resolved, but the team is also facing questions of depth at the receiver position with Latimer and Fowler unlikely to play.
Likewise, it is good news that RG Kevin Zeitler has returned to practice after not practicing Wednesday. Zeitler has been dealing with a shoulder injury and his health bears watching.