New York Giants Collin Johnson suffers Achilles injury while Sterling Shepard returns to practice

The New York Giants were dealt a major injury blow on Wednesday when wide receiver Collin Johnson suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in practice.

The former Jacksonville Jaguars fifth-round pick out of Texas had been taking snaps with the Giants first team offense while fellow receivers Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney have been working their ways back from injury.

He also started the Giants preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, making three catches for 41 yards.  

 Johnson  reacts after a catch against in preseason the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter

Head coach Brian Daboll even went as far as to make him one of two players he shouted out in the media during the week.

‘Collin Johnson, David Sills, they’ve stepped their game up,’ Daboll said. ‘And they’re right in the mix, not just to make a team but to play.’ 

Johnson had recorded 11 catches for 105 yards last season with the Giants and was looking to take advantage of the current openings at his position due to injury. 

Sterling Shepard returned to practice for he first time after tearing his Achilles last season

New York’s wide receiver room has now taken another shot as, along with Shepard and Toney, Darius Slayton and C.J. Board have also been dealing with injuries.

Before Johnson’s injury, the mood in the Giants camp was that things were looking up in terms of the health at wide receiver thanks to Shepard returning to the practice field for the first time on Wednesday as he works his way back from a torn Achilles he suffered last year. 

New York claimed receivers Bailey Gaither and Jaylon Moore off waivers on Wednesday in order to add some healthy bodies at the position.

Johnson throws shirts to fans in the crowd following Giants inter-squad scrimmage