It was good news for a change for the New York Giants wide receiver unit. Sterling Shepard, who fractured his thumb in July, was cleared to practice with no limits Monday and should have no problem starting in Week 1’s season opening game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“It’s actually healed up pretty fast and … I’m feeling good,” Shepard told the New York Post. “I wouldn’t say I’m all the way back, but I’m pretty close. I’m where I need to be. I feel good about that. I don’t see anything that can hold me back right now, unless something was to happen in practice. I’m on pace.”
Sterling Shepard is back after thumb fracture… "It's actually healed up pretty fast and … I'm feeling good," Shepard said, via the New York Post. "I wouldn't say I'm all the way back, but I'm pretty close. I'm where I need to be. I feel good about that."
— Giants Football Talk (@GiantsFootbal11) August 19, 2019
The Giants desperately need him to be. They’ll be without Golden Tate to open the season because of a four-game suspension and Corey Coleman is out for the year with a knee injury.
Last year Shepard set career marks in catches (66) and receiving yards (872). He caught four touchdowns.
Bucs’ Mike Evans leaves practice with injury
It appears to be a quad injury, but there’s always reason to be concerned when one of your best players goes down. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans left practice Sunday after injuring his leg on a deep pass play.
Evans wasn’t the only banged up Buc. Running back Ronald Jones was held out with a knee.
Bruce Arians considers Mike Evans and Ronald Jones both day-to-day. Neither practiced today.
“We have a few more days,” Arians said. "I think Ronald is probably going to be OK. I’m not sure about Mike."
Updated @TB_Times
story: https://t.co/MGJE4Df6sm#GoBucs #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/ti1qjhhd3E— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) August 19, 2019
In other Tampa Bay news, the team signed defensive lineman Elijah Qualls and cut Shane Bowman.
TRANSACTIONS & NOTES
- Julian Edelman will finally be able to practice with the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl MVP was removed from the Non-Football Injury list Monday. The team also informed punter Ryan Allen that he would be released.
- Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver D.J. Metcalf will require surgery on his knee. There’s no timetable for his return, but it’s expected to be “quick.“
- Miami Dolphins running back Mark Walton got six months’ probation after pleading no-contest to a weapons charge. He must also take anger management classes and surrender his gun.
- The Houston Texans signed cornerback Derrick Jones and cut wide receiver Stephen Lewis.
- Tight end Jonnu Smith and kicker Ryan Succup have been removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list by the Tennessee Titans.
