No Sterling Shepard for the Giants Sunday against the Panthers.
Shepard was ruled out prior to the game, one of the seven players designated as inactive. Shepard missed two games with a strained hamstring, returned and caught 10 passes in last week’s loss to the Rams but aggravated the hamstring issue in practice. He was listed as questionable by the end of the week.
Shepard was out on the field early on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, but his pregame workout did not last long. He ran a few short routes and caught a few passes but never really opened up and cut it loose. He had a brief conversation with Tyke Tolbert, the wide receivers coach, and headed into the locker room.
Add Shepard to the lengthy list of offensive skill players to sit out for the Giants. Receivers Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) and running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) were ruled out on Friday. Andrew Thomas, the starting left tackle, was also ruled out, with ankle and foot injuries.
The absences left the Giants with Darius Slayton, John Ross, Dante Pettis and Collin Johnson as their options at receiver, with David Sills also in the mix, elevated from the practice squad. Slayton made his return after missing the previous three games with a strained hamstring.
The other inactive players for the Giants were DL Danny Shelton (pectoral), CB Josh Jackson and CB Sam Beal.