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New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard was a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Shepard had a productive college career, totaling 233 receptions for 3,482 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the former Oklahoma star receiver had a productive rookie season. Shepard had 65 receptions on 105 targets for 683 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2016. Furthermore, he finished second on the team in every category behind Odell Beckham Jr.
Unfortunately, Shepard has struggled to stay healthy in his career. The veteran wide receiver has played a complete season only twice, with the last coming in 2018. Furthermore, he has missed 51.5% of the games over the past four years with various injuries.
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What Did Sterling Shepard Accomplish In 2022?
The veteran wide receiver suffered a torn Achilles in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Many believed Shepard wouldn’t be ready for Week 1 last year. Yet, the former Oklahoma star had a solid performance in Week 1, totaling two receptions on four targets for 71 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
However, Shepard played even better the following two weeks. He had 11 receptions on 20 targets for 83 receiving yards over the next two games. Unfortunately, the veteran receiver suffered a torn ACL in the Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, ending his 2022 season.
Is Sterling Shepard Injured Or Healthy?
The only good news for Shepard is that by tearing his ACL early in the 2022 season, the veteran wide receiver should be ready for Week 1 this year. The former Oklahoma star wide receiver participated in organized team activities last week.
Hopefully, Shepard will be ready for the start of the 2023 season. However, can he stay healthy? After missing over 70% of the games the past two years, fantasy players shouldn’t count on the veteran wide receiver.
Furthermore, the injuries aren’t the only concern with Shepard. The Giants added multiple weapons this offseason. New York re-signed Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton. They also signed Parris Campbell and Jamison Crowder in free agency. Finally, the Giants used a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Jalin Hyatt.
More importantly, the team placed the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley. New York also traded for Darren Waller. Last year Barkley led the team in targets, while Waller is one of the top tight ends in the NFL. Between the injuries and the crowded receiving core, fantasy players shouldn’t draft Shepard this year.
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