How Sterling Shepard Hopes to Avoid Future Injuries

It's been a frustrating two seasons for New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard.

Active for just ten games over that span due to an Achilles injury and then a torn ACL, the longest-tenured Giant has been determined to leave the game on his terms rather than be forced out.

That's a big reason why he agreed to return for an eighth season on a veteran minimum deal with no guarantee of a roster spot.

And that's fine with Shepard, who's never been afraid of a little competition.

"I control what I can control, and that’s staying on the field – and when I’m on the field, doing something," Shepard said Sunday, after his first practice since tearing his ACL.

"However it shakes out, I believe in God and that He has something planned for me. So, I control what I can control, and that’s being healthy and staying on the field. Then when I’m on the field, I get an opportunity – to show (my worth)."

To ensure he stays healthy, Shepard has learned to slow down and not push himself as hard as he has in the past. He admitted that after missing more than half the season with the Achilles issue last year, he might have pushed himself a little too hard too soon, a mistake he's not looking to make again.

"Did I push myself too much? Yeah, there’s only so much that they can do. They tell me what I need to do and try to save me from myself, but I’m one of those guys where I’ll be like, ‘I’m out here on the field, and somebody’s trying to come sub me. Get back; I’m about to go another rep,’" he said.

"But I just feel like this time around, I’ve got to play it a little bit smarter and listen to those guys because they know best, and they have my best interest. That’s where my focus is."

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Shepard reported feeling as good as ever to where he doesn't even think about his injuries anymore. And to ensure he continues to build up toward a full practice rep workload, he has accepted that he'll have to take things slow.

"I’ve got to be smarter myself in what I allow myself to do and not push back because I’m one of those guys that like to keep going and going and going, and I know that I’ve got to take my time this time," he said.

"Do things a bit differently than I have in the past and just be patient. I think that’s my main thing because I get antsy a lot of the time. I want to get in there three reps in a row – I may have to take one rep (and then) take a rep off; that’s just the way it’s got to go. I just think I’ve got to hold myself back sometimes."

That might be easier said than done for Shepard, but it's a necessary step and one that Shepard has prioritized.

"I don’t worry about other stuff. I don’t worry about how it’s going to shake out," he said. "I just worry about where my feet are right now. What can I do to get better? Whatever the training staff has me do, how can I get better if they have me sit out today?

"I’m going to listen to them, but when I’m on the field, that’s my job. I’m supposed to get open, catch the ball; that’s what I’m focused on. Whatever decision or however it shakes out, that’s just the way it shakes out. It isn’t anything that I can do about it but do what I do, so that’s the way that I approach it."

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