CHICAGO — It didn’t take long Sunday for a reminder Sterling Shepard can’t hide on an NFL field.
In his first game back after a five-game absence caused by his second concussion of the season, Shepard’s helmet hit the turf when he was tackled making his first catch in traffic during the Giants’ 19-14 loss to the Bears. He bounced right up to his feet and gave his fans and loved ones a reason to exhale.
“I just kind of want to move on and put that in the past,” Shepard said. “I’m happy to be back out here with my boys. That’s all I want to focus on going forward. I don’t even want to think about that no more.”
Three weeks ago, Shepard was cleared from the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol by team doctors and an independent neurologist.
Symptoms returned before Shepard played in a game, prompting him to re-enter the protocol and consult specialists in Pittsburgh as teammates privately and publicly urged him to put his family — wife Chanel Iman, a daughter and a second child on the way — and safety first. He was back on the practice field in a limited capacity the next day.
Sterling ShepardUPI“It was all good things from the doctor,” Shepard said. “I don’t want to go into specifics, but long-term stuff is out of the picture. That’s what I wanted to hear ultimately.”
Shepard said his confidence in the approved process for returning is not shaken by his relapse. He was cleared again Friday and spoke after the loss for the first time about his alarming setback.
“With concussions, that’s the type of stuff that happens,” Shepard said. “You just never know when symptoms could come back. Anything could trigger it. That’s just the way it goes. I just want to get back to playing football.”
Shepard had five catches, but was held to 15 receiving yards and a 22-yard rush in his return.
“They just beat us,” Shepard said. “That’s the bottom line. They played better than we did today. We’ve got to make more plays.”
Science suggests the risk for long-term cognitive damage increases with each subsequent concussion, especially if multiple happen within a short time span. Rams receiver Brandin Cooks is facing similar circumstances to Shepard, who had previous concussions prior to this season.
It’s been a frustrating season for all the Giants (2-9) but maybe most for Shepard, who broke a finger in the preseason and missed one game with a concussion in September. He returned to both games in which he suffered a concussion despite the independently employed concussion spotters at each game.
Shepard said he did not feel “rusty” in his return.
“I don’t believe in all that stuff,” Shepard said. “I’ve been at practice. I’ve been running around with the guys. I feel like if you practice the right way, it will prepare you for the game. I believe that in any case, so I felt good.”
The Giants have lost seven straight games. Shepard agonized not being to help as a No. 1 target for quarterback Daniel Jones.
“It was tough,” Shepard said. “I love being out there with my brothers and helping try to win games. Not being able to do that is no fun at all.”
