The New York Giants added current number one wide receiver Sterling Shepard to the injury report with an illness.
What else can go wrong for the New York Giants?
The struggling offense, already missing Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, Justin Pugh, and Weston Richburg, may be without another key player. The team announced on twitter that Shepard is questionable to play against the Chiefs with an illness.
WR Sterling Shepard has been added to the injury report with an illness. Shepard is questionable for tomorrow’s #NYGiants vs. Chiefs game.
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 18, 2017
Shepard suffered an ankle injury in the same game that the Giants lost Beckham and Marshall, however, he returned after missing two games. He’s become the de facto number one receiver after coming back from his injury.
Shepard has had a very nice year for the Giants so far, with 38 receptions for 475 yards and one touchdown over seven games.
However, Shepard has seen an increased role since returning from his injury. He was targeted nine times (5-70-0) in his return against the Rams, and a career-high 13 times last week against the 49ers, while collecting a career-high in receptions and receiving yards as well (11-142-0).
If Shepard sits out, tight end Evan Engram would see an increased role. The rookie has collected 40 receptions for 443 yards and five touchdowns in his first nine NFL games. He’s collected a touchdown in four straight games after only getting one in his first five games.
Engram could see a lot of coverage from cornerback Marcus Peters should Shepard be unable to suit up. The third-year corner has three interceptions this season, and an impressive 17 in two and a half seasons. Although Engram presents matchup problems, Peters would be his biggest challenge to date.
Should Shepard be forced to sit out, a shallow Giants wide receiver group would get even thinner. Tavarres King and Roger Lewis would become the top two receivers, and they have a combined 32 receptions between them.
Big Blue has had a rough season so far, and it will only get rougher should Shepard miss the next game.
