Oct. 1 (UPI) — New York Giants wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton were ruled out of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints because of hamstring injuries, the team announced Friday.
Through three games this season, Shepard has been the Giants’ leading receiver. He has notched 18 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown despite exiting in the first half of last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He has served as quarterback Daniel Jones’ top option with 22 targets.
Slayton has recorded seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown this season. He also left in the first half last week against the Falcons because of a hamstring issue.
Without Shepard and Slayton in the lineup, the Giants are expected to lean on free-agent acquisition Kenny Golladay and first-round draft pick Kadarius Toney on Sunday against the Saints’ elite defense. New Orleans enters the matchup with the NFL’s sixth-ranked defense.
Colin Thompson also is expected to have an increased role and could start alongside Golladay in New Orleans.
In addition to missing their top pass-catchers, the Giants will be without starting left guard Ben Bredeson due to a hand injury, according to the team’s final injury report. It will be the fourth straight game that New York has a new starter at left guard due to an injury.
Starting middle linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring), tight end Kaden Smith (knee), special teams ace Nate Ebner (quad) and defensive back Keion Crossen (elbow) are all questionable for the Giants this week.
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