NY Giants vs. Eagles: Why this finale means so much to Sterling Shepard

EAST RUTHERFORD - Sterling Shepard did not want to leave the Giants' locker room - his home for the last eight years - and head out for the day. Practice was over. There were no more meetings scheduled. Media interviews were done, too.

Yet there was Shepard, still at his locker on Wednesday afternoon, reminiscing of seasons gone by with an awareness of what the next few days would more than likely represent for his playing career with the Giants.

“I’m hesitant to leave,” he said with a laugh, only he wasn't really kidding. “I’m just taking it all in, you know what I mean?”

There are many players with uncertain futures as the Giants head into today's season finale against the Eagles at MetLife Stadium. The one player whose future already feels predetermined is Shepard, the longest-tenured Giant and 2016 second-round pick who has lasted three coaching regimes and three different general managers.

The Giants (5-11) plan on having Shepard introduced last in pregame festivities, giving him that chance to run through the tunnel at MetLife Stadium with the starters. Brian Daboll had Shepard break down the team after Friday's practice, too.

Shepard, 30, began as the rookie in a wide receiver room headlined by Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz, grew incredibly close with Saquon Barkley in their time together and likely closes his Giants career as the veteran imparting his own wisdom to second-year pro Wan'Dale Robinson and rookie Jalin Hyatt.

“It’s been great from top to bottom,” Shepard said. “I know not everybody has that [Michael] Strahan story, leaving with a ring on their finger and having some good seasons behind them, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’m very appreciative of this organization and all they have done for me, my family. I mean, it’s truly a blessing, man.”

Shepard needs three receptions against the Eagles to move past Jeremy Shockey and into fifth place all-time in Giants history, an incredible achievement given the "injury prone" label he has spent his entire tenure trying to shake. The one thing that's never been questioned is his toughness, so it'll be interesting to see the reception Shepard gets from the MetLife crowd.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants vs. Eagles: Live updates from Week 18 finale for Big Blue