New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been plagued by concussions this season, suffering two in a three-week span, leading him to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time.
How long that will continue to last is anyone’s guess, but Shepard, who remains in league-mandated concussion protocol, feels confident he’ll be able to return to the field soon.
“Oh, I’ll be back out on the field,” Shepard told NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY Network Northeast. “It’s just whether it’s gonna be this week or next week.
“I’m just leaning [on the advice of what is said] medically, and I’m going to listen to my body. I know what my body is supposed to feel like, and when I feel like I’m ready to come back, then I’ll come back. But, I’ve been feeling that way for two weeks. It’s kinda them just protecting me from myself, I guess you can say, but I’m trying to get back as soon as possible, and just waiting to hear their thoughts.”
The concussion issue for Shepard extends well beyond the football field, however. And while he wouldn’t name names, the receiver did admit there are those in his inner circle who are nudging him to step away from the game.
As seriously as he takes his overall health, Shepard isn’t ready to end his professional career just yet.
“When I get fed up with it, [I’ll walk away],” Shepard said.
Shepard added that he’s been symptom-free for about two weeks now, but understands why the medical staff is being overly cautious. He expects to be cleared to play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday or, at the latest, against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 9.
