Sterling Shepard at peace with expected end of Giants’ career: ‘Blessed’

Sterling Shepard knows his time as a Giant is coming to an end. “For sure,’’ the wide receiver said Wednesday of coming to terms with it. “I think this point in time comes for everybody at some point throughout their career. “I just look at how blessed I’ve been to be in the same spot for eight years.” Shepard put up solid numbers in each of his first five seasons after being drafted by the Giants out of Oklahoma in the second round in 2016.

He hasn’t gotten as much playing time the past two years and has just seven receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown this season. Shepard has 369 career receptions and needs just two more to tie Jeremy Shockey for fifth in franchise history. Shepard will be 31 next month, but still believes he can play in the league.

“I go through practice every week and I feel like myself, I feel pretty good,’’ Shepard said. “In games, not many reps and everything, but I haven’t really shown it, [I] haven’t had really much opportunity to show. [Still playing is] still on the table for me, for sure.” If that happens, it won’t be with the Giants.

Shepard hasn’t caught a pass since the Giants’ win over New England on Nov. 26 and is far removed from his best season of 2018, when he had a career best 66 receptions and 872 yards, as well as his rookie year, when Shepard had a career high eight touchdowns..