EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Shorthanded at linebacker, the Giants today signed Kelvin Sheppard, who played in every game for them last season.



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The Giants had an open roster spot after making several moves earlier in the day – one of which was signing another linebacker who played for the team in 2016, Deontae Skinner.

A seven-year veteran, the 6-2, 240-pound Sheppard started 11 games at middle linebacker for the Giants after joining the team as a free agent on April 11 of last year. He finished the season with 47 tackles (27 solo), including a season-high eight stops (four solo) at Pittsburgh on Dec. 4. Sheppard is expected to make his 2017 debut Sunday, when the Giants face the 49ers in San Francisco.

Sheppard was with the Chicago Bears from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 of this year.

The Giants placed linebacker Nigel Harris (ribs) on injured reserve earlier today. Middle linebacker B.J. Goodson did not play Sunday against the Rams because of an ankle injury. Weakside backer and defensive captain Jonathan Casillas has missed three games with a neck injury.

Sheppard has played in 93 career regular-season games with 56 starts for Buffalo, Indianapolis, Miami, and the Giants. His career totals include 350 tackles (226 solo), 3.0 sacks, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 22 special teams tackles.

Sheppard entered the NFL as a third-round draft choice with the Bills in 2011, from LSU. He played two seasons in Buffalo, one in Indianapolis, and two in Miami before coming to the Giants.