Yes, nothing has been officially finalized, but all signs are pointing to NY Giants wideout Sterling Shepard playing his final game with the organization on Sunday. It's been an emotional week for Shep and Big Blue fans, as the 2023 campaign didn't go as planned.
However, that doesn't take away from the memorable seasons the wideout was able to record in East Rutherford since joining the squad way back in 2016. The Week 18 finale is expected to be Shepard's final game with NY and it could be his last NFL showing as well. Because of this, the Giants are reportedly going to make sure Shepard gets the send off he deserves:
#NYGiants plan on having Sterling Shepard introduced last in pregame festivities tomorrow, giving him that chance to run through the tunnel at MetLife Stadium with the starters.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) January 6, 2024
Brian Daboll had Shepard break down the team after practice yesterday, per @giantseisen.
Sterling Shepard appears to be playing his final game with the NY Giants on Sunday
Shepard has spent the past eight years with the Giants, highlighted by two trips to the postseason. The first came in 2016, his rookie campaign in East Rutherford. That season, Shepard posted an impressive 65 receptions for 683 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.
In 2018, Shepard posted a career-best 872 yards - he did that on 66 receptions, while adding four scores. Unfortunately, Shepard's production has dropped tremendously over the past three seasons due to injuries. In 2021, Shepard appeared in seven games before suffering a torn Achilles.
Then in 2022, Shepard tore his ACL during a Week 3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife. After suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries, a lot of people assumed he'd either hang up his cleats or the G-Men would move on from this past offseason.
Instead, general manager Joe Schoen decided to bring him back on a one-year deal. Despite being able to stay healthy, Shepard only has seven receptions for 39 yards and one TD to his name in '23. He's been an after-thought for the offense, as NY will be looking to go to their younger WRs moving forward.
Come the 2024 campaign, there just doesn't appear to be any room for Shepard on the roster. Having said that, he's beloved all over town and Shepard remains a fan favorite. That's why you can expect the people on hand to give him a massive ovation on Sunday when he makes his way out of the tunnel. Shepard deserves all the love and support he's about to recieve from the Big Blue supporters vs. the Eagles.