The New York Giants won't have their top receiving target for at least the next three weeks.
Big Blue announced Wednesday that Sterling Shepard has been placed on IR as he deals with a turf toe injury.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport previously reported Wednesday morning that Shepard would miss Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. It turns out it will be more than just one week for Shepard.
Per the NFL rules for 2020, players must sit at least three weeks before coming off IR.
Shepard injured his foot in Sunday's loss in Chicago on a reception late in the second quarter. After hobbling to the sideline, the wideout attempted to return in the second half but was ruled out after just one play.
The multi-week injury is another blow to a Big Blue offense that lost Saquon Barkley for the season due to an ACL injury. The Giants signed veteran Devonta Freeman on Tuesday to help fill that void. The team officially announced Freeman's signing. The RB will take Shepard's place on the 53-man roster.
Shepard missed six games a year ago. While Shepard is eligible to return in three weeks, he's dealing with an injury that tends to linger. The 27-year-old had eight receptions for 76 yards through the first two weeks of the season.
Sans Shepard, Daniel Jones will lean on Golden Tate, Darius Slayton and Damion Ratley as his top WR targets, and tight end Evan Engram could play an increased role.
The Giants face the 49ers, Rams and Cowboys the next three weeks.
Here's other news, injuries and transactions we're tracking on Wednesday:
- The Denver Broncos are not going to place quarterback Drew Lock on injured reserve, coach Vic Fangio told reporters. Lock is dealing with a rotator cuff sprain, and Denver believes there is a chance he could return sooner than three games. The Broncos also understand that he could miss 4-5 games but don't want to "eliminate the possibility." Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey (elbow) and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (ribs) were each limited participants in Wednesday's practice. Denver also announced it has placed wide receiver Courtland Sutton on season-ending injured reserve and defensive end DeMarcus Walker and linebacker Mark Barron on injured reserve.
- Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee), cornerback Malcolm Butler (quadricep) and tight end Jonnu Smith (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. The Titans are adding running back Jeremy McNichols to the active roster from the practice squad, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.
- The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah to a one-year deal and promoted defensive lineman Dion Jordan to the active roster from the team's practice squad. The team also placed Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas on the injured reserve list. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said running back Tevin Coleman, who suffered a knee sprain in Week 2, will miss about four weeks and is likely going on IR. Tight end George Kittle (knee) returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday. Shanahan said quarterback Nick Mullens will "most likely" start Sunday versus the Giants as Jimmy Garoppolo nurses an ankle sprain.
- Buffalo Bills linebackers Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) and Matt Milano (hamstring) returned to practice as limited participants. Coach Sean McDermott said beforehand it's too early to say whether they'll play Sunday. Cornerback Tre'Davious White (shoulder) was also limited. Wide receiver Cole Beasley (hip/thumb), running back Zack Moss (toe) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (knee) were out.
- Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (hamstring) returned to practice after missing the first two games of the season. He was limited, as were tight end Hunter Bryant (hamstring), offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot) and defensive tackle Nick Williams (shoulder).
- New York Jets coach Adam Gase said wide receivers Breshad Perriman (ankle) and Jamison Crowder (hamstring) will not practice this week, adding that Perriman is likely to miss the next two games while Crowder could return sooner. Cornerback Quincy Wilson (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Running back Kalen Ballage (rib), offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (shoulder), wide receiver Chris Hogan (rib) and running back La'Mical Perine (ankle) were limited. The Jets signed safety Marqui Christian to the active roster. Christian appeared in 16 games for the Rams each of the past two seasons, collecting 72 tackles. Jets backup quarterback Joe Flacco (neck) received final medical clearance from his doctor this week, leading to a full practice, Rapoport reported. Rapoport added Flacco may not be active Sunday, but is expected to be for Week 4.
- The Carolina Panthers placed running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle) on injured reserve. He's out the next three games, at least.
- Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark (groin) did not practice Wednesday.
- Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes did not practice Wednesday and offensive tackle Riley Reiff was limited. The Vikes signed linebacker Cale Garrett to their practice squad.
- Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor has a UCL tear in his thumb, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. He left this past Sunday's game, but returned to play through the injury. He'll likely miss a few weeks, Garafolo added. Wideout Alshon Jeffery (foot) did not practice Wednesday. Tackle Lane Johnson (ankle) was limited.
- Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy confirmed cornerback Chidobe Awuzie will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. Offensive tackle Tyron Smith (neck), Demarcus Lawrence (knee) and Trevon Diggs (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars are placing kicker Josh Lambo on injured reserve with a hip injury, coach Doug Marrone told reporters. Center Brandon Linder (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Dolphins. Wide receiver D.J. Chark (chest/back) is questionable. Rookie kicker Brandon Wright has been promoted from the practice squad.
- Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (groin/Achilles) has been ruled out against the Jaguars. Safety Clayton Fejedelem (pectoral) is doubtful. Wide receiver DeVante Parker (hamstring) was a full participant after being limited earlier in the week.
- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (groin) did not practice Wednesday and cornerback Byron Murphy (shoulder) was limited. The Cards signed wide receiver Jaron Brown to their practice squad.
- Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown (calf), running back Josh Jacobs (hip), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (pectoral) and tight end Darren Waller (knee) did not practice. Wide receiver Bryan Edwards (foot) was limited. The Raiders announced they placed guard Richie Incognito on injured reserve and elevated guard Patrick Omameh to the active roster.
- New England Patriots center David Andrews (hand) did not practice. Wide receivers Julian Edelman (knee) and N'Keal Harry (ankle) were limited.
- Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (knee) did not practice and safety Julian Blackmon (knee) was limited.
- Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will start again this week against the Panthers in place of an injured Tyrod Taylor (ribs), coach Anthony Lynn said. The NFL Players Association has initiated an investigation into Taylor's complications stemming from a pregame pain-killing injection. The Chargers signed safety Jahleel Addae to their practice squad. On the injury front, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa was a full participant on Wednesday, but tight end Hunter Henry (ankle) and offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga (knee) were limited.
- Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (quad), fullback Cullen Gillaspia (concussion), running back Duke Johnson (ankle), offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (elbow) and defensive end J.J. Watt (groin) were limited in practice.
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Diontae Johnson (toe) and defensive end Tyson Alualu (knee) and guard David DeCastro (knee) did not practice.
- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) and defensive end Dante Fowler (ankle) did not practice. Coach Dan Quinn said Jones further strained his hamstring by playing through the injury in Week 2.
- Rams coach Sean McVay said running backs Malcolm Brown (finger) and Cam Akers (ribs) will not practice Wednesday. McVay said guard Joe Noteboom (calf) will likely be placed on on short-term injured reserve soon.
- New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle) remained out in the team's projected practice report for Wednesday.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, who missed Week 2 with a concussion, was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (knee) were limited.
- Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (shoulder) and **Mike Daniels** (groin) did not practice.
- Cleveland Browns defensive endsAdrian Clayborn(hip) andOlivier Vernon(abdomen) did not practice. Offensive tackleJack Conklin(ankle, finger), cornerbackKevin Johnson(liver), centerJC Tretter(knee), cornerbackGreedy Williams(shoulder) and linebackerMack Wilson(knee) were limited.
- Washington Football Team wide receiverSteven Sims(toe) did not practice.
- Seattle Seahawks offensive tackleDuane Brown(knee/foot) did not practice on Wednesday, while cornerbackQuinton Dunbar (knee) was limited.
