New York Giants lose Sterling Shepard to ACL tear

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard tore the ACL in his left knee in Monday’s 23-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and will miss the remainder of the season. Giants coach Brian Daboll confirmed the severity of the injury on Tuesday a day after New York’s first loss of the season.

New setback for Shepard

Shepard was hurt in a non-contact injury on the Giants’ final play of the night, falling to the ground while running a route away from the play. He was then carted off the field. This marks the fourth straight season Shepard has missed due to an injury and the second year in a row his season has ended with a major one after he tore his Achilles in 2021. He took a pay cut to stay with the Giants after appearing in just seven games last season but is not under contract for 2023, so Monday’s game may have been his last with New York.

A second-round pick by the Giants in 2016, Shepard’s 362 career receptions rank eighth in franchise history. The 29-year-old veteran leads New York with 154 receiving yards this year and has scored one touchdown while his 13 receptions are one fewer than Richie James Jr. for the most by a Giants receiver.

Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay, both of whom have been non-factors thus far with a combined four receptions for 22 yards, will likely be pressed into more duty with Shepard sidelined.