Sterling Shepard remains in concussion protocol

The New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 9, and they are still not sure if wide receiver Sterling Shepard will be available. Shepard suffered a concussion in Week 5 and has remained in the concussion protocol ever since. On Monday, head coach Pat Shurmur said Shepard remains in the protocol and they’ll see how he progresses through the week, according to beat writer Patricia Traina.

A player clears the protocol after they have shown themselves to be asymptomatic while at rest and then again after exertion. Once that happens they can return to full football activities.

Golden Tate is the Giants No. 1 receiver, and he has been followed by some combination of Darius Slayton, Bennie Fowler, and Cody Latimer each week. In Week 8, Slayton started and played in 84 percent of snaps. Latimer played in 45 percent of snaps and Fowler played in 31 percent.

Fantasy football analysis: Giants WRs Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton

Slayton is only owned in 9.8 percent of ESPN fantasy football leagues. He had two receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns on five targets. He remains a clear tier below Golden Tate, Saquon Barkley, and Evan Engram in the passing game, but there is still some value to be had.

Shepard has not shown anything to indicate he will be back this week. He was limited in all three practices last week before being ruled out, so we’ll likely need to see at least one full practice before we can expect him back in action.