Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Filling No. 2 receiver role Sunday
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Shepard is projected to operate as the No. 2 receiver in Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Saints due to the absences of Mike Evans (IR, collarbone/concussion) and Chris Godwin (fibula), Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
The veteran wideout started the Week 7 loss to the Lions working as the No. 3 receiver, but he bumped up a notch on the depth chart during the game when Evans exited with his pair of injuries. Shepard wound up with a season-high seven receptions on his seven targets against Detroit, albeit while netting only 25 receiving yards. Sunday, Shepard is due to begin the game as the No. 2 wideout, and he could certainly benefit from the defensive attention likely to be showered on rookie position mate Emeka Egbuka.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Does little with seven catches
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Shepard secured all seven targets for 25 yards in the Buccaneers' 24-9 loss to the Lions on Monday night. He also lost a fumble.
Shepard tied Cade Otton for the team lead in receptions with a figure that also served as the veteran receiver's season high, but he averaged a minuscule 3.6 yards per catch. The Lions' extremely short-handed secondary significantly overperformed expectations against a Buccaneers offense that had been running hot, and Shepard therefore posted his third sub-30-yard tally of the season. Nevertheless, considering Mike Evans will be out for a significant amount of time due to the broken collarbone he suffered Monday night -- and Chris Godwin now has missed consecutive games with a fibula injury -- Shepard figures to remain in an expanded role for the foreseeable future.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Sleeper WRs
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Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) won't play in Week 7 at Detroit, but we expect that Mike Evans (hamstring) will return. Shepard, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson all have the chance to step up this week for the Buccaneers and Fantasy managers, and all three should be considered sleepers in the majority of leagues. I'll lean toward Shepard being the best since he's scored at least 11.9 PPR points in two of his past four games, and he should play the most. Kameron Johnson had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on four targets against the 49ers in Week 6, in the game Egbuka was injured, and Tez Johnson had one catch for 45 yards and a touchdown on three targets in that game. The Lions are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, which is why any of these three receivers could be viable in Week 7. If you're desperate for a receiver this week, then look at Shepard, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson, in that order, as fliers given the matchup.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Week 7 Waiver Priority List
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Greg Auman, who covers the NFC South for FOXsports and is based in Tampa, said Mike Evans (hamstring) should return in Week 7 against the Lions. But Chris Godwin (leg) is out, and Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) isn't expected to play. After Evans, it's a mystery who will help Baker Mayfield in this dream matchup, which is why we like Cade Otton (see below). The safe second option at receiver is Shepard, who will play the most behind Evans, and Shepard has scored at least 11.9 PPR points in two of his past four games. You can also take a flier on Tez Johnson (3 percent) or Kameron Johnson (1 percent), and both stepped up in Week 6 against San Francisco. Kameron Johnson had four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on four targets against the 49ers, and Tez Johnson had one catch for 45 yards and a touchdown on three targets. The Lions are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, which is why any of these three receivers could be viable in Week 7 with Egbuka now hurt. I'd spend up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB on Shepard and 1 percent each on Tez Johnson and Kaleb Johnson, in that order.
Shepard had two receptions on three targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 30-19 win over the 49ers.
Shepard was elevated to second on the receiver depth chart after Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) were ruled out for Sunday's tilt. Things could have opened up more for the veteran after Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) left the contest early, but it was fellow wideouts Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson who cashed in a pair of Baker Mayfield passing touchdowns Sunday. While things didn't pan out for Shepard in Week 6 (given his elevated opportunities), Egbuka's potential absence moving forward means that Shepard is worth holding for next Monday's tilt against the Lions.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Set for No. 2 duties Sunday
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Shepard is set to operate as the Buccaneers' No. 2 receiver in Sunday's game against the 49ers due to Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula) both being ruled inactive for the contest, per Scott Smith of the team's official site.
Shepard warmed up for his projected expanded role by recording his first touchdown since Week 5 of last season in last Sunday's win over the Seahawks. The veteran has remained healthy over his season-plus in Tampa Bay and shown he still has plenty to offer in the process, and he'll enter Sunday's matchup against the 49ers with a 17-191-1 line on 24 targets.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Sleeper WRs
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Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) are out in Week 6 against San Francisco, which should put Sterling in a prominent role alongside Emeka Egbuka. Shepard has scored at least 11.9 PPR points in two of his past three games, and he's worth using as a No. 3 receiver in PPR leagues. This game should be a high-scoring affair with the 49ers, and Baker Mayfield will likely need Shepard to make plays with Evans and Godwin out.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Nabs first TD reception of 2025
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Shepard finished with four receptions on five targets for 24 yards and a touchdown while losing five yards on his only rushing attempt in Sunday's 38-35 win over Seattle.
Shepard overcame a minor foot injury early in the practice week in order to suit up without restrictions in Sunday's win. The 32-year-old continued serving as the Buccaneers' No. 3 receiver, occupying the vacancy left by Mike Evans (hamstring) in Weeks 4 and 5 after filling in for Chris Godwin over the team's first three contests. If Evans remains sidelined for next Sunday's tilt against the 49ers, Shepard can continue providing value in Week 6 for those in deeper formats.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Full practice Thursday
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Shepard (foot) practiced in full Thursday.
After missing Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Shepard was able to handle every practice rep one day later, clearing him for Week 5 action. With Mike Evans (hamstring) expected to be out again Sunday in Seattle, Shepard is poised to remain the No. 3 wide receiver in the Buccaneers offense behind Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka, a role that's amounted to 13 catches (on 19 targets) for 167 yards and no touchdowns for him in four games this season.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: DNP due to foot issue
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Shepard didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough due to a foot injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
Shepard has been regularly playing at least 60 percent of the offensive snaps this season, and this past Sunday's loss to the Eagles was no different. While Mike Evans (hamstring) was sidelined, Chris Godwin (foot) made his season debut, and Shepard finished third in snap share (62 percent) behind rookie Emeka Egbuka (89 percent) and Godwin (81 percent). The result, at least for Week 4, was modest for Shepard (2-14-0 on four targets), and he now is dealing with a health concern. Evans still wasn't practicing as of Wednesday and is expected to miss multiple games, so if Shepard is able to prove his health by the end of the week, he should resume his standing as the Buccaneers' No. 3 WR on Sunday in Seattle.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Pair of catches in Week 4 loss
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Shepard brought in two of four targets for 14 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-25 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
The veteran wideout continued to operate the No. 3 receiver, as Chris Godwin's season debut was offset by Mike Evans' absence due to a hamstring injury. Shepard saw a significant downturn from his season-high 80-yard output in Week 3, but given his chemistry with Baker Mayfield, he could be more productive in a Week 5 road matchup against the Seahawks.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Week 4 Waiver Priority List
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Mike Evans (hamstring) could miss multiple weeks, and we don't know when Chris Godwin (ankle) will play. Emeka Egbuka should get fed, and the injuries should help Cade Otton (see more below). But you should look at Shepard in deeper leagues. He just had four catches for 80 yards on five targets in Week 3 against the Jets, and he's worth adding in deeper leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Hits for season-high 80 yards
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Shepard caught four of five targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 29-27 win over the Jets.
Shepard put together his best game of the season, finishing just five yards short of rookie Emeka Egbuka's team-high total. The veteran slot receiver has an 11-153-0 line on 15 targets through Tampa Bay's first three games while taking advantage of the absence of Chris Godwin (ankle), but even if Godwin is ready to make his season debut in Week 4 against the Eagles, Shepard's role may not decrease immediately as Mike Evans left Sunday's win in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Remains involved in Week 2 win
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Shepard secured all four of his targets for 34 yards in the Buccaneers' 20-19 win over the Texans on Monday night.
The veteran wideout finished tied for third in receptions and enjoyed the same slotting in receiving yards while playing 60 of 88 offensive snaps. A relationship with Baker Mayfield that dates back to their college days, and that served as the foundation for Shepard being coaxed out of semi-retirement last season, has paid off over the first two games of the new campaign, as he sports a 7-73-0 line on 10 targets. The 32-year-old will continue filling in as the No. 3 receiver while both Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck) remains sidelined.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Three grabs to open season
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Shepard brought in three of six targets for 39 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-20 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
The veteran receiver flashed his chemistry with college teammate Baker Mayfield on a few occasions, and Shepard actually finished second on the Bucs in targets for the afternoon. Shepard's final catch was the most important, as he made a clutch 10-yard grab on third-and-9 during what would turn out to be the game-winning drive. Given the short-handed nature of Tampa Bay's receiving corps for the moment, Shepard has some appeal in deep formats as the current No. 3 receiver -- he logged 37 snaps to Tez Johnson's eight Sunday -- in an offense helmed by a quarterback with whom he has long-established rapport.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Paces air attack in win
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Shepard brought in all three targets for 47 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Steelers on Saturday night.
Shepard led the Buccaneers in receiving yards on a night when Mike Evans once again rested and Jalen McMillan exited with neck and head injuries. The veteran opened the game with the first-team offense, recording a seven-yard grab on the opening drive from Teddy Bridgewater and subsequently adding 13- and 27-yard catches on Tampa Bay's third possession. Shepard's surprisingly serviceable showing during the 2024 regular season (32-334-1 across 14 games) and a working relationship with Baker Mayfield that dates back to college should give him a solid path to a roster spot again, and his performance Saturday certainly didn't hurt his chances.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Staying in Tampa Bay
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Shepard is re-signing with Tampa Bay for one season, according to Buccaneers GM Jason Licht.
Known for a promising career that was derailed by a series of severe injuries, Shepard left the Giants for the first time last year and ended up spending much of 2024 as Tampa Bay's No. 3 or 4 receiver. He'll likely enter camp somewhere between fourth and sixth on the depth chart, unless Chris Godwin's recovery from an ankle dislocation comes along slower than expected. Godwin, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are locked in as the team's top three wide receivers, leaving the likes of Shepard, Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett to compete for depth roles.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Solid as reserve option in '24
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Shepard, who was active for Sunday night's 23-20 wild-card loss to the Commanders but did not log any touches over 27 snaps, finished the 2024 regular season with 32 receptions for 334 yards and a touchdown on 51 targets along with eight rushes for 69 yards across 14 games.
The veteran wideout was signed partly due to his college connection with Baker Mayfield, and Shepard ended up proving he still had something left in the tank after three injury-hampered and mostly ineffective seasons to cap off his long tenure with the Giants. Shepard ended up playing a bigger role than first envisioned due to Chris Godwin's season-ending ankle injury, recording at least four catches in four games and exceeding 40 receiving yards on four occasions as well. Shepard's season-long reception and receiving yardage totals outpaced the combined 23 catches and 211 yards he'd mustered in his final two Giants campaigns in 2022 and 2023, while his eight rush attempts represented a new career high. Shepard once again will be an unrestricted free agent come the new league year in March, and it's possible the Buccaneers opt to move on considering Godwin's expected return and Jalen McMillan's emergence over the course of his rookie year.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Cleared to play
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Shepard (foot/knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Shepard was a full practice participant Friday, after limited sessions the previous two days. He figures to fill his usual role as the No. 3 receiver, coming off a quiet Week 18 performance in which he got just two targets despite playing 66 percent of snaps.
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Buccaneers' Sterling Shepard: Remains limited at practice
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Shepard (foot/knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Shepard maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough, giving him one more opportunity to return to full participant this week. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not he heads into the weekend with a designation for Sunday night's wild-card game versus the Commanders.
