New York Giants wideout Sterling Shepard has been cleared to play this Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Bears.
Rejoice, New York Giants fans. Your top wideout is set to return this weekend.
On Friday, the Giants announced via their personal Twitter account that Sterling Shepard has been cleared to play this Sunday. Shepard has missed each of the last five games for New York with a concussion.
The veteran has succumbed to six missed games in total this year, as he was additionally sidelined for the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills with the same injury.
Sterling Shepard, Janoris Jenkins, and Nate Solder have been cleared from the concussion protocol and will play Sunday pic.twitter.com/9KUthewMc6
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 22, 2019
Shepard was originally cleared from the protocol for the Giants’ Week 9 home matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. However, symptoms returned shortly after. Thus, he missed that game and the succeeding loss to the New York Jets.
The fourth-year pro has caught 25 balls for 267 yards and one touchdown through four games this season. Big Blue signed him to a four-year, $41 million extension back in April.
In Shepard’s absence, the Giants have fielded Golden Tate, Cody Latimer, and rookie Darius Slayton as their top three receivers. For just the second time this year, the Giants will have Shepard, Tate, and Slayton all active in the same game.
New York has also cleared cornerback Janoris Jenkins and left tackle Nate Solder from the concussion protocol. The latter left the loss to the Jets early due to the injury. He was then replaced by Eric Smith. Jenkins also exited the game early, as he was replaced by second-year corner Sam Beal.