Injury May Have Doomed Sterling Shepard
August 26th, 2024
Looking over shoulder for The Turk.
The scene took Joe by surprise.
It was the second day of training camp. Veteran free agent Sterling Shepard had a really good practice. And like after every training camp practice where fans attended, players mingled on the field afterwards with family, friends and fans before disappearing into One Buc Palace.
Like many of his teammates, Shepard hung out, too. Soon, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen came near Shepard, very loudly gave the former Giants receiver props for an excellent practice, and then said to Shepard, “Thank you!”
Joe doesn’t think he’s ever seen a coordinator thank a veteran after practice for busting his tail. But it is that type of real-recognizes-real that helped lure Shepard to the Bucs.
“It’s iron sharpens iron around here,” Shepard said of Coen’s very public display of gratitude the previous day. “We want everybody to have their best day.
“That’s only going to make this team better. That’s what the mentality is coming out to the practice field every day. That’s what we are trying to do.”
Whether Shepard continues that is up for debate. Until he got hurt earlier in training camp, Shepard was having a solid camp. He was making a push for the No. 3 receiver position though it seemed Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan were a step ahead.
At worst, Shepard was a No. 5 receiver based on his practicing.
So the worst thing that can happen to a player fighting for a job is to get injured and then others at his position ball out and make plays.
As a result, one could argue Kameron Johnson and Cody Thompson raised their games — and their chances to make the final-53 — while Shepard worked out with trainers on a side field.
“I just control what I can control,” Shepard said. “Coming out and showing [the Bucs] what I can do.”
That hasn’t been the case for a while. But it seemed the veteran fit in the wide receivers room like a glove.
“It’s a selfless mentality in our room,” Shepard said. “We hvae a lot of young guys along with Chris [Godwin], Mike [Evans] and I, to help get them up to speed to allow them to play their fastest.
“That’s only possible if they know what to do.”
Joe still thinks Shepard would be valuable on the Bucs roster, provided he can stay healthy. He’s very much a team guy very willing to help out younger teammates, specifically receivers.
But will Shepard dodge The Turk tomorrow as the Bucs and all NFL teams whittle their rosters to the mandated 53 by the 4 p.m. deadline?
Unlike before Shepard’s injury, Joe isn’t banking on it.
August 26th, 2024 at 4:17 am
if I remember correctly the guy has had a real problem staying on the field these past few years.
August 26th, 2024 at 4:45 am
I think his career could be over. Nobody was knocking on his door prior to training camp. I doubt any other teams will be calling him as there is no new tape and he’s been hurt most of camp. The Bucs will cut him as they are getting younger at a deep position. The Bucs should keep him on speed dial in case there are injuries.
August 26th, 2024 at 4:59 am
Practice Squad would be fine with me. He showed some stuff. He’d definitely be the Dave Moore, but we gotta get younger. Not to mention he’s injury prone now a days. He’d be like Randall Cobb on the Jets last year… If he was on the 53
August 26th, 2024 at 5:51 am
Does he have to make the roster to be put on the PUP List?
August 26th, 2024 at 5:53 am
Thompson deserves a spot over sterling
August 26th, 2024 at 6:12 am
Licht acquiring so much talent doomed Shepard.
In Light We Trust!
Go Bucs!!!
August 26th, 2024 at 6:14 am
A well-written and insightful post. The way you’ve explored the implications of Sterling Shepard’s injury sheds light on a critical issue for fans and analysts alike. Great job on providing such thorough analysis.
August 26th, 2024 at 6:30 am
@Fred McNeil. I know Shepard through fantasy football, and yes, he’s one of those guys that always seemed productive when he was on the field, yet as you pointed out has been a problem staying healthy these last few years. I don’t want to overthink the preseason, but I can’t remember having so many 3rd and 4th team WRs with such good hands to choose from.
Do we keep an oft-injured 31-year-old receiver on the 53-man roster because of that experience? And potentially lose young talent like Miller and Knue. I would throw Thompson in there as well because I thought he was the second coming of Adam Thielen given his route running, catching ability and production, but after last game I noticed he’s 28 and he’s been around the block, but injuries have limited him as well. I do like his size though.
Tough cuts ahead. Curious who survives the purge on our defensive line. Gholston might be a casualty, and Logan Hall, I feel like he sure is benefitting from his draft status. In 2 seasons, you’d hope a guy who had a first-round grade on some boards, who was still a very high 2nd rounder flash a bit, this guy hasn’t done sh!t on the field to flash. Just one great game. He’s a big bodied JAG.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:14 am
Probably an injury settlement. Not sure what the rules are for the practice squad, but I’m pretty sure it’s not for veterans like Shepard.
August 26th, 2024 at 9:04 am
Sneaky way to ice talent for the end of the season…
August 26th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Give Shepherd a set of steak knives on his way out the door.
August 26th, 2024 at 10:13 am
Assistant coach – receivers, maybe?
August 26th, 2024 at 10:39 am
Let’s keep Shep on IR instead of Edmunds. Seriously.
August 26th, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Fully agree.
August 26th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
we need a pass rusher!