Week 2 Giants Injury Impact

The Giants receivers have been hit hard with injuries this year. Here's a look at the impact of the Week 2 injury report and how the Giants might compensate.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Giants starting receiver Sterling Shepard (concussion) has been ruled out of Sunday's home opener against the Buffalo Bills. 

Shepard, who has been in the league’s concussion protocol since Monday, has been able to work outside on a side field adjacent to where the team has practiced all week in what was a positive sign for the receiver.

However, the receiver was limited to doing some light jogging under the watchful eye of the trainers, an indication that he's still not yet in the later stages of the protocol.

Last week, Shepard caught six out of seven pass targets for 42 yards, with half of his receptions going for first downs. He lined up in the slot five times and caught four of those five slot targets for 27 yards.

With Shepard ruled out, look for tight end Engram, who actually led the Giants in slot targets last week with six, to see even more looks from that spot. 

Engram was targeted six times from the slot, catching five passes for 57 yards. The Giants have been looking at expanding their usage of Engram, who despite being a tight end has numerous wide receiver traits and who can create mismatches. in coverage.

The Giants have listed receiver Cody Latimer (calf) as questionable for Sunday’s game. 

Latimer first showed up on the team’s injury report Thursday didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Still, the veteran receiver, who last week started with Shepard, expressed his optimism regarding his availability Sunday to reporters.

“I have my dogs out there fighting, and I obviously don’t want to let them down,” Latimer said. “I’m working hard and listening to the trainers, and I’ll see where I am. 

"I think I’m good to go; we’ll see before the game. We’ll see how I’m running around and moving around and make a decision then.”

If he can't go, the Giants' projected starting receivers will be Bennie Fowler and Russell Shepard, with TJ Jones, the Giants' preseason leader in receptions (12) and receiving yards (146) likely serving as the third receiver in the 11-personnel package, and waiver wire pickup Cody Core pitching in as needed.  

The Giants will also be without receivers Golden Tate, who is serving the second week of his four-game suspension, and rookie Darius Slayton, who continues to work his way back after aggravating his hamstring n the team’s Week 3 preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Something to watch regarding Latimer's status is whether the Giants make a roster move before Saturday's 4PM ET deadline. The Giants could call up Reggie White Jr from the practice squad if Latimer doesn't look as though he'll be ready for Sunday.

If the Giants do need to make a move, tight end Garrett Dickerson, who has been declared out with a quad injury, could be the corresponding move. Dickerson, the fourth tight end on the depth chart, was injured in the Giants' second preseason game and has not had any live game reps since.   

In other Giants injury news, guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, both listed with shoulder ailments, and edge rusher Markus Golden, listed with a hip ailment, are all good to go for Sunday’s game. 

The Giants will kick off at home against the Buffalo Bills Sunday at 1:00 PM ET, as they look to avoid their third straight 0-2 start.