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All it took was a chance.
After veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard had some big moments and impressed on Sunday against the Eagles, the Bucs signed him to the 53-man roster Tuesday afternoon.
Sterling Shepard Provides Veteran Depth And Familiarity To Bucs WR Room
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Sterling Shepard made the Bucs’ practice squad coming out of training camp despite not playing in the preseason after getting injured. Shepard was buried on the depth chart but rose to the occasion catching a few passes from former college teammate and quarterback Baker Mayfield. With rookie third-round pick Jalen McMillan out with a hamstring and second-year receiver Trey Palmer leaving the game with a concussion, it gave the veteran wide receiver a chance to make plays.
He did, hauling in three receptions for 51 receiving yards and looking as shifty as ever.
Those numbers add to the solid career totals of the now nine-year NFL wide receiver. Shepard now has recorded 375 receptions for 4,146 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. Mayfield is happy to see him make the most of his chance in the game and provide a spark of energy.
“It was really fun to see, just for him,” Mayfield said. “Being really happy for him in the sense of – being in New York for a while, getting injured, getting a fresh start here. At a different age for him, but still making plays. You really can’t replicate the in-game experience and understanding how to win routes on leverage. Just the playmaking ability that he had, strong through the catch. He’s a little Energizer bunny on the sideline so I think the guys enjoyed it.”
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Sterling Shepard was recruited by his former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback over the offseason, and he joined the team at the right time to fight for a roster spot. With Shepard stepping up as the next man up, he now has the chance to continue rekindling that connection and being an offensive playmaker next to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and the young receivers behind them.
Last season, it was David Moore who provided a veteran presence and a source of energy as a depth wide receiver. This season, that responsibility now looks like it will fall on Sterling Shepard.