NFL Notes: Giants, Lions, Steelers, Texans

Giants

Giants WR Sterling Shepard was wearing a walking boot on his injured ankle Friday but said he’s doing well and should be ready for Week 1.

“If I feel well enough to (play) in preseason games I will,” Shepard added, via NFL.com.

Lions

• The Detroit Lions announced Friday that they’ve officially activated DE Jeremiah Valoaga from the active/physically unable to perform and will return to practice.

Steelers

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy tells Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers WR Martavis Bryant still has yet to meet the requirements of his conditional reinstatement.

“He would be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games, once he satisfies requirements,” McCarthy said in an email to Fittipaldo.

Steelers WRs coach Richard Mann said earlier this week that Bryant appears to have turned a corner following his year-long suspension.

“I think he’s matured and has a different mentality and a different demeanor about him,” Mann said. “He’s always been good with me. That’s not bragging. That’s the truth, man. He and I have a relationship like I have with all the other guys. We talk a lot.”

Texans

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins explained that he’s hoping to play his entire career with the Texans and isn’t looking to move on in free agency.

“Not at all,” Hopkins tells Dan Graziano of ESPN. “I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of teams in the NFL that would love to have me, but the Houston Texans is my home and the team that I want to play for forever.”

• Hopkins also offered some support for QB Tom Savage: “If anybody should be a judge of quarterbacks, I’ve played with the most quarterbacks in NFL history throughout my first four years. So I put the stamp on Savage, and I think that’s all that needs to be said about that.” (Dan Graziano)