Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) has been cleared to play ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Shepard was only able to practice once this week, but it was good enough to get removed from the injury report ahead of this game. Last week, Shepard hauled in four of his five targets for 48 yards in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs are still banged up at wideout, so Shepard figures to remain a top passing option. That being said, Shepard will slide onto the flex radar ahead of this Week 10 showdown.
Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard Still Not Practicing
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be in dire straights at the wide receiver position in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. Mike Evans (hamstring) is likely to miss his third straight game, Chris Godwin (ankle) is out for the year, and Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) are in danger of sitting out this weekend after two straight missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday. McMillan didn't play in the Week 9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. If neither McMillan nor Shepard are able to play this Sunday, Trey Palmer and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be quarterback Baker Mayfield's (toe) top receiving targets, as well as tight end Cade Otton, who has gone off the last several weeks with Evans and Godwin out. Check back on Friday for more clarity on McMillan's and Shepard's statuses.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Sterling Shepard (hamstring, hip) were both out for the first practice of the week on Wednesday as the team prepares for a Week 10 battle against the San Francisco 49ers. McMillan injured his hamstring last Friday and didn't play in the Monday night overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing Shepard and Trey Palmer to serve as the top wideouts with Mike Evans (hamstring) out and Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the season. Shepard had four catches for 48 yards on Monday, but now he's in danger of missing Week 10 against the Niners as well. It's worth noting the Bucs' bye comes in Week 11. Tight end Cade Otton has been the clear beneficiary in the passing game, while Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Ryan Miller could be the starters at receiver if McMillan and Shepard can't play this Sunday.
Sterling Shepard Grabs Four Passes, Rushes Twice In Week 9 Loss
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard caught four of five targets for 48 yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, adding two rushes for 21 yards. It was the second consecutive game that the 31-year-old earned five looks from Baker Mayfield and the fourth time this season he's caught at least three passes. Jalen McMillan (hamstring) was inactive for the game and should he miss another week, then Shepard could once again be one of the top receiving options for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have a tough matchup with the 49ers in Week 10 so even so, he's still probably only a WR4/5.
Sterling Shepard Active, Jalen McMillan Ruled Out On Monday Night
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is active for the Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs, while Jalen McMillan (hamstring) has been ruled out. Both wideouts came into the Week 9 game listed as questionable to play. With Mike Evans (hamstring) previously ruled out and with Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the year, Tampa's receiving corps is much thinner for this matchup against the reigning two-time Super Bowl-champion Chiefs. McMillan tested his hammy during pre-game workouts and wasn't feeling great. On Monday night, Shepard and Trey Palmer are expected to be quarterback Baker Mayfield's top targets, as well as tight end Cade Otton, who could easily lead the Bucs in targets. Additionally, Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Marquez Callaway could have bigger roles against KC.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is questionable for the Week 9 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) are on the shelf, so there are opportunities for others to get involved. However, Shepard may not be one of them, with the veteran wideout missing a few practices throughout the week after tweaking his hamstring in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. If Shepard plays, he could be rostered for streaming purposes, although he'll be a risky option for fantasy managers. But if he doesn't, Cade Otton, Jalen McMillan (hamstring), and Trey Palmer would be the favorites to see more attention from Baker Mayfield.
Sterling Shepard Questionable To Return With Hamstring Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) has now been listed as questionable to return to Sunday's contest as he deals with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the second quarter. The Buccaneers are already dealing with a thin receiver corps, so they'll now have to rely on fewer pass-catchers. Cade Otton will be even more important while Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer will be the top two receivers unless Shepard returns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard will be asked to take on a bigger role during the Week 8 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs lost their top two wideouts in Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) during last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They will now be forced to use the committee of Shepard, Jalen McMillan, and Trey Palmer. The expectation is that running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton will be mixed in as well. It's unknown exactly what the Bucs plan to do without their top options available. That being said, Shepard can't be trusted as more than a low-end flex option. He hasn't done much this season outside of a 51-yard performance in Week 4. Sometimes an increased role doesn't always come along with increased value which could be the case here.
Sterling Shepard Has Increased Responsibility On Tap
According to head coach Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard will be counted on more in the offense in the absence of teammates Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle). Specifically, reporters asked Bowles about Shepard and his familiarity with quarterback Baker Mayfield. "He's been a heck of a receiver in this league when he's healthy," said the Bucs' head coach. "He can make plays all over the field; we've seen that briefly over the last couple of weeks." The chemistry referred to by reporters stems from the time he and Mayfield spent together in college at Oklahoma. Seeing how targets shake out over the coming weeks will be interesting. For what it's worth, the former Oklahoma Sooner played fewer snaps than fellow wideouts Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan in the team's Week 7 loss. Still, production in this offense will need to come from somewhere, with Godwin done for the year and Evans not projected back until after the team's Week 11 bye.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard could be asked to take on a bigger role during Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs could be shorthanded at wideout with Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) both uncertain heading into this game. That being said, Shepard could be asked to step in and be the third receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. His best performance came in Week 3 when he hauled in three receptions for 51 yards. It's hard to imagine Shepard being a viable streaming option even if he gets the nod as the third wideout.
Sterling Shepard
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Buccaneers
