Darius Slayton Fantasy Value Remains Viable While Sterling Shepard Sits Out Again With Concussion

The New York Giants' banged up offense will welcome back Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, but will once again be without wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who is going to miss his third game of the season due to concussions.

WR Sterling Shepard (concussion) not going to be cleared this week given situation, per sources. Out Sunday vs. Arizona. Even next week uncertain. Been practicing w/non-contact jersey but a lot to be taken into consideration considering he suffered 2 concussions in four-week span
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 18, 2019

With Shepard out, 2019 fifth-round draft pick Darius Slayton will start once again opposite Golden Tate, as the team's preferred outside wide receiver against the Cardinals. Slayton has looked impressive with limited touches this season, catching 12 balls for 189 yards (15.8 yards per reception) and one touchdown.

Slayton is coming off a disappointing three-catch (on eight targets), 32-yard performance against the New England Patriots in Week 6, but mostly dealt with shutdown corner Stephon Gilmore in coverage. While the Cardinals have given up the 12th-most fantasy points to wide receivers, they get back their own shutdown corner, Patrick Peterson, who is returning against the Giants after serving a six-game suspension.

?DEEP SLEEPER? Darius Slayton - ARI has given up the 4th most rec yards to the left side. The 7 TD allowed to the left is tied for the 3rd most. Slayton plays the majority of his snaps on the left and played 97% of the team’s snaps last week. Sterling Shepard is out #Giants
— James Koh (@JamesDKoh) October 18, 2019

It's unclear how much Peterson will match up with Slayton on Sunday, but he does tend to avoid chasing wide receivers in the slot, which is good news for Tate. Still, Slayton should play a prominent enough role on Sunday to have an impact, in a game with a 50.5 point total. Slayton makes for a desperation FLEX play in Week 7 for teams affected by the bye week crunch or WR injuries.

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