Pat Shurmur said there was no update on Sterling Shepard on Thursday morning other than “there probably won’t be any activity this week” for the Giants’ concussed wide receiver after he visited a specialist in Pittsburgh the previous day.
Minutes later, Shepard shockingly was on the field in full pads and helmet with a white No. 87 jersey, taking part in the team’s pre-practice stretch before moving to a side field with a trainer and running several sprints.
“It was a good visit. We just got more information. So we’ll just have to see,” Shurmur said before practice about Shepard’s consultation. “He’s in the [concussion] protocol, probably won’t be any activity this week, and we’ll just move forward from there.”
Asked if the Giants have considered placing Shepard on injured reserve, Shurmur said: “We are not talking about any of that at this point. We’re just trying to get him well and get him back on the field. Again, he’s in the protocol, so it’s very defined the steps he’s got to take to get on the field, and he’ll go through those steps.”
On Wednesday, several teammates told The Post they were concerned for Shepard, who suffered two concussions in a four-week span.
“There is no doubt that Shep is one of the biggest competitors in the game. I think he has put pressure on himself to try to be out here,” Golden Tate said. “But, when it comes to your brain and your mind, you can’t play around because you are opening yourself up to things down the road.”
ESPN reported Wednesday morning that the Giants attempted to put in a waiver claim on Seahawks wide receiver Gary Jennings, but he was claimed instead by the Dolphins, who had priority based on their 1-7 record.
The Giants could have two replacement starters on the offensive line this week after the existing unit played together for all but one offensive snap through the nine games.
Starting center Jon Halapio is “a ways away” from returning from a hamstring injury, Shurmur said, and will be replaced by Spencer Pulley. Starting right tackle Mike Remmers (back) also missed practice Thursday. He would be replaced by second-year lineman Nick Gates.
“The good news for us is, in my mind, I feel like we have two starting centers on our team,” Shurmur said. “In the event [Remmers] can’t go, we have Nick Gates, who we feel like will do a good job.”
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