The New York Giants released their Week 8 injury designations, ahead of their trip to Detroit to take on the Lions, ruling out starting wide receiver Sterling Shepard and rookie corner/kick returner Corey Ballentine with concussions.
Ruled OUT
WR Sterling Shepard (concussion)
Corey Ballentine (concussion)
Shepard suffered two concussions in a three-week span and has currently been unable to clear the NFL’s protocol to return. Shepard is one of the Giants’ top skill players on offense and will force them to use less experienced wide receivers — such as Cody Latimer, Darius Slayton and Bennie Fowler — in his place.
Ballentine was not able to practice all week and therefore was not able to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol. He’s the Giants starting kick returner, so his loss will be felt on special teams — last week he was replaced by fellow rookie Darius Slayton, who returned four kicks for 87 yards.
Not listed on the injury report
RB Saquon Barkley (ankle)
LB Lorenzo Carter (ankle)
WR Cody Latimer (quad)
Barkley, Carter and Latimer were all banged up this week in practices but they were able to practice in full and won’t carry injury designations into this week’s game.
Barkley is, of course, the big name on the list. Last week he wasn’t fully healthy but was still impactful for their offense, registering 72 yards on the ground and a touchdown, as well as eight yards receiving. He will draw a lot of attention from Lions defenders and will likely be their primary focus in Ford Field on Sunday.
