The Giants can’t let go of Sterling Shepard.
The 30-year-old wide receiver played in just three games in 2022, but made such a positive impression on coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen that he will get another shot with the team that made him a second-round pick. 2016 NFL Draft.
Shepard will be re-signed, The Post confirmed. ESPN was the first to report Shepard’s return.
It will be a minimum one-year veteran deal, a source told The Post. The minimum veteran salary is $1.16 million for a player with Shepard’s time in the league.
Shepard caught the first touchdown pass in Daboll’s debut, leading to a 65-yard catch-and-run by Daniel Jones that led the Giants to a 21-20 season-opening victory over the Nashville Titans.
In Week 3, however, Shepard tore his left anterior cruciate ligament late on “Monday Night Football” against the Cowboys, ending his season.
The Giants are re-signing Sterling Shepard.Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
It was Shepard’s second straight losing season.
Shepard played in just seven games in 2021 before tearing his left Achilles tendon in the Cowboys’ Week 15 loss.
Both injuries occurred at MetLife Stadium.
Despite his injury history, the Giants want to see if Shepard can bounce back.
Shepard’s leadership is a case in point.
While injured and rehabbing, Shepard was a relentless presence this past season, in the locker room, on the practice field and on the sidelines during games.
Sterling Shepard tore his ACL against the Cowboys on September 26, 2022.Getty Images
It is expected that he will be able to take the field through training this summer.
After the season, Schoen made no secret of what he thought of Shepard.
“I love Shep,” Schoen said. “Juice guy all the time. One of my favorites here. We will continue to monitor his rehabilitation. It has been a tremendous resource for us. We will continue to communicate with the training staff where he is (in rehab) and when he will be healthy enough to play. That’s whether we can entertain or not.”
The decision was made to bring Shepard on a low-risk deal that will put little on the salary cap.
Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) in Week 1 against the Titans.Getty Images
Shepard, in his first five seasons, caught 65, 59, 66, 57 and 66 passes, a consistent target, most effective working in the slot.
If his body allows him to compete, Shepard will be the veteran leader for a position group that will feature Isaiah Hodgins and several new players, with Kenny Golladay being released on Wednesday.