Brian Daboll: Giants 'wanted' injured Sterling Shepard around through playoff run

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has explained why he and general manager Joe Schoen have wanted injured wide receiver Sterling Shepard around the team through the playoffs. 

"He's a great teammate," Daboll said of Shepard on Thursday, per the Giants' website. "He provides a lot of juice. He's out here at practice every day. He's one of the better leaders that I've been around – very selfless. I wouldn't know how he feels. Certainly, I believe that he wishes he could play. But he comes out here with a great attitude. He's our music guy. So, he's been great. Very fortunate for him to be here."

Shepard hasn't played since he went down with a season-ending torn ACL in Week 3 back on Sept. 26. Ahead of New York's wild-card win at the Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday, he mentioned how he was serving as a mentor for numerous teammates who had zero playoff experience before the 31-24 victory notched at U.S. Bank Stadium.

That matchup featured quarterback Daniel Jones targeting unproven talents such as Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton and Richie James. Daboll noted Thursday that Shepard, who has a single playoff game on his career résumé since his rookie season in 2016, has been coaching up fellow receivers and also defensive players. 

Shepard's future with the Giants is very much in question, and his worrisome injury history could scare teams off in free agency when the new league year opens in March. While it's far too early to say, it sounds as if the 29-year-old could have a gig on the Giants' coaching staff sooner rather than later if he wants. 

"Joe and I, we wanted him around," Daboll added about Shepard. "And that's up to him, too, based on how he's rehabbing and stuff. But he's here every day. He's an energy giver. He lifts everybody up: coaches, players, staff members. Just a great teammate." 

It may be a matter of when, not if, Shepard receives a game ball if the Giants are able to continue their postseason journey by winning at the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this Saturday night.