Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard was activated from the physically unable to perform list and was a full participant in practice on Wednesday for the first time since he tore his left Achilles tendon during a game against the Cowboys last December.
As difficult as Sterling’s rehab was, the Giants’ longest-tenured player admitted it was nerve-racking to watch the management turnover unfold after his 2021 was largely lost due to myriad injuries (Achilles, quad, calf, hamstrings). But the ear-to-ear smiles with which head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen greeted Shepard on the field Wednesday indicated just how thrilled the Giants’ managerial tandem were to see him.
“As you know, in this line of work, nothing is promised,” said Shepard, who agreed to take a $7 million salary cut in order to remain a Giant. “So, it was a little nerve-wracking. You have to think about your family and what you’re going to do with them.
“I’m happy to be here. I love this place. I love everybody in this building. I’ve been here for seven years now and it’s been a blessing just being here. You hear stories about other places around the league, and there’s no place like here. And this is where I wanted to be. This is where I want my family to be, and I’m glad we could make it work.”
Daboll wouldn’t say whether Shepard will play in the Giants’ preseason finale against the Jets on Sunday, noting the team is taking it day by day and planning to see where he’s at after his first practice back. Though Shepard is relying on instructions from the trainers, the 29-year-old said he is pushing to be ready for Week 1 against the Titans on Sept. 11.
Considering it was his first full-pad practice since his injury, Shepard said he felt somewhat limited in team reps. It took him a while to get a feel for catching the ball at the start of practice, but his cuts and movement looked solid. Even though it’s a new offense, Shepard is more familiar with starting quarterback Daniel Jones than any other player.
Having Shepard on the field from Week 1 would bode well for Jones, who is entering an evaluative season and has made it clear Shepard is one of his favorite targets.
“It’s been a while since Daniel and I have actually gotten to throw,” Shepard said. “Since I’ve been on PUP, I haven’t been able to catch any passes from him. So, we have a rapport, but we have to freshen things up and build that connection back again. So, he’s been throwing to different guys and getting a feel for those guys. And it shouldn’t take us long.
“But I’ll get back out there with him after practice and throw a couple balls around. And we should get back on track pretty easy.”
Daboll said Shepard is going to have to learn a lot of spots, but the coach highlighted his route-running ability and quickness as reasons why he’s excited to begin working with him. Asked if he thinks he’ll fit into the Giants’ new offense, Shepard pointed out that Daboll gives players a lot of freedom and how that suits his game.
In wake of his pay cut, Shepard is now in a contract year. His future with the Giants was made even more unclear when the organization drafted receiver Kadarius Toney 20th overall in 2021 and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round this year. But Shepard said he is just trying to stay present and focus on this season.
“I think he really can play any spot we need him to play, watching him on tape,” Daboll said. “He’s been productive inside, he can run stuff outside. He’s got an ability to create separation, which helps the quarterback. Again, he’s a veteran that’s played some football, has good rapport with Daniel. It’ll be good to throw him in the mix.”
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