New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has missed the team’s last five games with a concussion, which is his second concussion this season, but may now be ready to return this week for the Giants game in Chicago against the Bears.

Shepard last played on October 6 against the Minnesota Vikings and has not been able to pass the league’s concussion protocol since.

On Wednesday, Shepard practiced in full for the second time this week, and although he remains in protocol, the Giants are optimistic he could return as soon as this week.

“You are in the protocol until you are not,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “A lot of times what happens is they get cleared at the end of the week with the anticipation that they will be cleared.”

Shepard missed one game earlier this season with a concussion but was cleared to play two weeks later. This second injury has been more troubling, with the Giants being extra cautious by sending Shepard recently to a specialist in Pittsburgh for additional treatment and advice.