Sterling Shepard got back on the field Friday night.
Playing in a game for the first time since suffering a torn left ACL last season, Shepard made his preseason debut in the Giants’ 21-19 victory over the Panthers at MetLife Stadium.
The veteran wide receiver has been brought along slowly this summer, with the medical and coaching staffs careful to monitor Shepard’s every movement, making sure he has been given rest and recovery time after extending himself in practice.
In the second quarter, Shepard got into a game for the first time since Sept. 26, when he went down in Week 3 against the Cowboys.
On a second-and-4 play, Shepard ran to the sticks and hauled in a pass from Tyrod Taylor, making sure he picked up the first down with a 6-yard gain.
Shepard sustained a big hit from cornerback Keith Taylor Jr., which probably felt good to the veteran receiver, who needs to show he can take contact and keep going.
“I kept asking him how he’s doing,’’ head coach Brian Daboll said. “He’s such a good teammate and such a competitor, I was checking with him, is he good to go.’’
Shepard, 30, has played in only 10 games the past two seasons.
He ruptured his left Achilles tendon in 2021 before shredding his knee last year.
“You have such empathy for the players in this game because there’s always nicks and bruises,’’ Daboll said. “Some of ’em are long-recovering injuries. He’s looked good.’’
The Giants had one surprise starter on defense, rookie defensive lineman Jordon Riley, as coordinator Wink Martindale began the game with only one linebacker, Bobby Okereke, on the field.
Rookies Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins again started as the perimeter cornerbacks, with veteran Adoree’ Jackson as the slot corner.
Matt Peart, playing left tackle with the second-team offensive line, was called for two holding penalties. … QB Tommy DeVito had a neat escape of OLB Amare’ Barno on what should have been a sack in the third quarter. DeVito spun, kept his balance and was able to turn a big loss into a 2-yard gain.
Other than the surprise start by Riley, the Giants’ defense used the starting unit, which had no trouble stopping rookie quarterback Bryce Young and a Panthers’ offense that was shut out last week by the Jets.
There was some sloppiness to clean up — penalties on Dexter Lawrence, Jackson and Jihad Ward — but also a sack by Kavon Thibodeaux and a fourth-down run stop by Riley.
Several players dealing with injuries were not in uniform for the Giants: WR Collin Johnson, WR Cole Beasley, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, RB Gary Brightwell, TE Tommy Sweeney, OL Marcus McKethan, OL Ryder Anderson, OL Tyre Phillips, LB Cam Brown, CB Aaron Robinson, and S Nick McCloud.
Last week, during the Giants’ joint practices with the Lions, general manager Joe Schoen said there was no plan to bring unsigned veteran linebacker Anthony Barr in for a visit.
Barr, though, visited on Thursday with the Giants.
What changed?
Well, two inside linebackers, Cam Brown and Troy Brown, sustained injuries, leaving the Giants short at that position.
Needing to be proactive, the Giants searched the waiver wire and reached out to Barr.
Last week, they ended up claiming Ray Wilborn, a 26-year old linebacker, who had been waived a day earlier by the Broncos.
This week, they checked in with Barr, a 31-year old who was selected for four consecutive Pro Bowls between 2015-2018 with the Vikings.
He played last season for the Cowboys.
The Giants are not expected to make a move on Barr at this time.
