Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Improves production again in 2023
Rotowire
Shepherd appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 regular season, logging 50 tackles, including 3.0 sacks.
Shepherd set a new career high in tackles for the fourth season in a row while also accumulating at least 3.0 sacks for the first time in his career. The 30-year-old played in more of a rotational role over his first five seasons with the Jets, but he led the Saints' defensive tackles with 562 defensive snaps played this season. Shepherd signed a three-year, $15 million contract with New Orleans in March, and he should retain a prominent role alongside fellow interior defensive linemen Khalen Saunders and 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee in 2024.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Lands in Big Easy
Rotowire
Shepherd agreed Wednesday with the Saints on a three-year, $15 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Shepherd's deal reportedly includes $10.2 million guaranteed. The veteran defensive tackle is coming off consecutive seasons without missing a single game, while operating as a key depth option along the Jets' defensive line. He stands to handle a similarly significant role in New Orleans going forward.
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Jets' Nathan Shepherd: Re-signs with Jets
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Shepherd agreed Tuesday to re-sign with the Jets, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Shepherd appeared in all 17 games for New York in 2021 and registered 28 tackles (17 solo). He was a key depth piece along the Jets' defensive line, playing over 25 percent of the team's defensive snaps in every game. The 2018 third-round pick is once again expected to fill a rotational role in 2022.
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Jets' Nathan Shepherd: Status uncertain for TNF
Rotowire
Shepherd (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Shepherd popped up on the injury report as a limited participant all week, and he's one of four defensive linemen listed with injuries. If he's able to play, and either Henry Anderson (shoulder) or Quinnen Williams (neck) can't go, Shepherd likely will start at defensive end. The final verdict on their statuses will be revealed 90 minutes before the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Jets' Nathan Shepherd: Suspension confirmed
Rotowire
Shepherd has been suspended for the next six games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Shepherd's suspension will begin immediately. The 25-year-old will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 28 and he'll be able to play Week 9.
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Jets' Nathan Shepherd: Facing six-game suspension
Rotowire
Shepherd is facing a six-game suspension for two separate violations of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Shepherd admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to help recover from injuries over the offseason. While recovering from a shoulder injury, the 25-year-old underwent an MRI on his groin that revealed the need for a sports hernia procedure. After the procedure, Shepherd had a hunched posture for several weeks that eventually led to a herniated disc in his back. Pelissero reported that the league could've suspended Shepherd 14 games -- four for the first violation occurring June 27 and 10 games for the second offense July 25 -- but decided to roll the two charges into a singular six-game suspension.
