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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The New York Giants will look for their first win of the season on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints without wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. The two were ruled out on Friday due to hamstring injuries.
The Giants will also be without left goalie Ben Bredeson (hand). This will be the fourth game in a row that they have a new left goalie starting due to injury.
Shepard is the Giants’ leading receiver (0-3). He has 18 catches for 223 yards and one touchdown despite starting in the first half of last week’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He was quarterback Daniel Jones’ best option with 22 targets.
Slayton has seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. He also came out in the first half with a hamstring problem against the Falcons. The Giants will now have to rely more on coveted offseason acquisition Kenny Golladay and first-round pick Kadarius Toney in a game they desperately need to win against one of the best defenses in the league. New Orleans comes into play on Sunday with the NFL’s sixth-ranked defense.
Golladay started the season slow while facing hamstring and hip injuries after signing a four-year, $ 72 million contract this offseason. But he did not receive an injury designation for Sunday’s game, a positive sign after needing pre-game training to prove he was healthy enough to play against the Falcons.
“Kenny was released from the game last week [vs. Atlanta] in a good place, “coach Joe Judge said Friday morning.” He’s had a good workout for us. [Thursday]. He is making progress in terms of health. He was productive for us on the pitch last week. We would expect to see it this week. “
Toney, the University of Florida’s 20th overall pick, has been used sparingly so far this season. He’s seen more action against the Falcons after Shepard and Slayton bowed, but still has just four receptions for 14 yards this season. He had two catches for 16 yards against Atlanta.
“I would expect him to do more than what we’ve seen in the previous weeks, naturally, without anyone getting hurt,” the judge said. “Just naturally based on his progression through the system.”
It becomes even more pressing with Shepard and Slayton absent. Neither has trained this week.
Colin Thompson’s summer acquisition is also expected to see an increased role and is set to begin alongside Golladay in New Orleans.
It doesn’t matter who the Giants have as a wide receiver if the latest version of the offensive line can’t protect Jones. Veteran Matt Skura, signed last month, is likely to become their fourth starting left goalie this season. Shane Lemieux (knee) and Nick Gates (leg) have already been lost for the season. Bredeson could also land on an injured reserve.
Starting center linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstrings), tight end Kaden Smith (knee), special teams ace Nate Ebner (quad) and defensive back Keion Crossen (elbow) are all questionable for the Giants on Sunday.
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