STERLING SHEPARD NEWS

Solid as reserve option in '24 Shepard, who was active for Sunday's 23-20 wild-card loss to the Commanders but did not log any stats over 27 snaps, finished the 2024 regular season with 32 receptions for 334 yar...

Impact 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 will once again 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.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Shepard (foot/knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited at practice Shepard (foot/knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Shepard (foot/knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

Impact Shepard returned from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury in Tampa Bay's regular-season finale, a Week 18 win over the Saints. He played 66 percent of offensive snaps and secured one of two targets for 11 yards. Now dealing with foot and knee issues, Shepard will work to get healthy in time to contribute in a depth capacity during Sunday's wild-card game against the Commanders.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

One catch in return Shepard (hamstring) brought in one of two targets for 11 yards in the Buccaneers' 27-19 win over the Saints on Sunday.

Impact Shepard made his return from a one-game absence but had a quiet game during an afternoon where the Saints made the Buccaneers' air attack work for every yard. The veteran wideout finished last in catches on the Bucs while also tying for the fewest amount of targets, but Shepard's experience could be key during a postseason run that begins with a wild-card matchup against the Commanders next Sunday night.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up Sunday Shepard (hamstring) is active for Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Saints, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Impact Shepard was limited in practice throughout the week after sitting out the Week 17 game against the Panthers, and he apparently corroborated his health sufficiently to garner active status for Tampa Bay's must-win regular-season finale. Shepard's return to the No. 3 receiver spot Sunday will thrust Ryan Miller back into a No. 4 role versus New Orleans.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable after limited practice Shepard (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Impact Shepard's hoping to suit up after being limited in all three of Tampa Bay's practices during the week. If the veteran wideout takes the field, he'll likely work as the third option in Tampa Bay's receiving corps behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. The Buccaneers would secure a playoff berth with a win.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Stays limited at practice Shepard (hamstring) was limited at Thursday's practice.

Impact With back-to-back capped sessions under his belt this week, Shepard appears as if he has a chance to put an end to a one-game absence Sunday against the Saints. Ultimately, Friday's injury report may provide a sense of his odds to do so. If he's able to suit up this weekend, Shepard likely would resume his role as the Buccaneers' No. 3 WR behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, which has amounted to a 15-157-0 line on 24 targets in five appearances since the team's Week 11 bye.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Shepard (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Impact Sidelined this past Sunday against the Panthers due to hamstring and foot injuries, Shepard is listed with only the first health concern as the Buccaneers begin Week 18 prep. How he fares on the field Thursday and Friday likely will determine whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Saints.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Mayfield throws 5 TD passes and Bucs keep playoff, NFC South hopes alive with 48-14 rout of Panthers

Baker Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep their division and playoff hopes alive with a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out for Week 17 Coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Shepard (hamstring/foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Panthers, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Impact Shepard exited in the third quarter of this past Sunday's contest at Dallas due to a hamstring injury, which, combined with the foot issue that he dealt with last week, will keep him sidelined Week 17. The Buccaneers' receiving corps Sunday will be composed of Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Ryan Miller, Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett. As for Shepard, he'll focus on getting healthy for a Week 18 matchup with the Saints.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Thursday Shepard (hamstring/foot) didn't take part in practice Thursday.

Impact Shepard has yet to mix into drills this week due to the hamstring injury that forced him out of this past Sunday's loss at Dallas and also the foot issue he tended to last week. Friday's practice report may shed some light on his odds to suit up Sunday versus the Panthers, but Ryan Miller likely would bump up the WR pecking order behind Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan if Shepard is limited or sidelined this weekend.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as DNP on Wednesday Shepard (hamstring/foot) is listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Impact Shepard exited this past Sunday's game in Dallas due to a hamstring injury and didn't return. He also dealt with a foot issue in advance of that contest and now is listed with both health concerns to kick off Week 17 prep. As a result, Shepard's status will be one to monitor as the week continues see if he may be in danger of missing Sunday's contest against the Panthers.

DECEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs

Tampa Bay’s surest path to the NFL playoffs is a division championship

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

WATCH: Sterling Shepard's daughters joined him during NBC's player introductions Shepherd introduced himself and his family to Sunday’s prime time television audience.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Cowboys beat Tampa Bay 26-24 as Baker Mayfield and the Bucs lose control of their playoff fate

Cooper Rush threw a touchdown pass, Brandon Aubrey kicked two 58-yarders among four field goals and the Dallas Cowboys beat Tampa Bay 26-24, costing Baker Mayfield and the Buccanee...

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ruled out for rest of SNF Shepard (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Impact Shepard came up lame at the end of a 14-yard run in the third quarter and grabbed at his hamstring. He was ruled out shortly thereafter. Shepard caught one of three targets for 20 yards prior to the injury but also had two drops, including one that hit him right in the numbers on fourth down in the first quarter.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard Kicks Off SNF with Heartwarming Intro, Terrible Drops Buccaneers wideout Sterling Shepard attracted an interesting spotlight on Sunday night.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • OUTKICK.COM

Sterling Shepard 'Sunday Night Football' introduction: Buccaneers WR has daughters give player intro vs. Cowboys | Sporting News Canada During NBC's player introductions on "Sunday Night Football," Shepard got creative by including his family.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Sterling Shepard Steals the Show in SNF Intro Before Bucs-Cowboys Over the years, we've seen a lot a wide variety of different player introductions. Many primetime broadcasts allow players to introduce them...

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • SI.COM

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard's Daughters Helped Deliver Adorable Player Intro for 'SNF' Sterling Shepard and his daughters teamed up for a whole some player intro on Sunday Night Football.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • SI.COM

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard's Daughters Helped Deliver Adorable Player Intro for 'SNF' Sterling Shepard and his daughters teamed up for a whole some player intro on Sunday Night Football.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Sterling Shepard injury update and status vs. the Cowboys in Week 16 | Dec. 22, 2024 Sterling Shepard and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 on Sunday at 8:20 PM ET.Watch Sterling Shepard and the B...

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • USATODAY.COM

Ready for Week 16 Shepard (foot) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Dallas, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Ahead of a Week 15 matchup with the Chargers, Shepard managed just one limited practice (Friday) due to a foot injury but still suited up this past Sunday, earning a 50 percent snap share and catching his only target for 16 yards. This time around, he sat out Wednesday but followed it up with back-to-back capped sessions due to the same health concern. With his status cleared for Week 16, Shepard will remain the No. 3 WR behind top options Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Thursday Shepard (foot) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Impact Shepard thus has made a bit of progress after sitting out Wednesday's session due to a foot injury and even is ahead of last week's practice regimen, when he didn't get back on the field until Friday as a limited participant. This Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest in Dallas.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE