Sterling Shepard's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot) has been cleared ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Shepard didn't practice on Wednesday and got in two limited sessions after that, but apparently that was enough to clear Shepard for this weekend. The veteran wideout posted a dud last week. Shepard hauled in his lone target for 16 yards in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Rookie wideout Jalen McMillan has proven himself to be a viable option over the last two weeks. McMillan is likely going to take away targets from Shepard, which is going to make the veteran wideout a risky play for Week 16. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better option than a wideout who is probably going to be third or fourth in the pecking order.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot) practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday after he was listed as a DNP on Wednesday. Meanwhile, receiver Trey Palmer (illness) sat out of practice on Thursday due to an illness. Shepard didn't practice for the first time last week until Friday but still played in the Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and caught his only target for 16 yards. The 31-year-old hasn't been as intriguing as a flex play in fantasy with Mike Evans healthy, but Shepard could see more targets come his way this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night if tight end Cade Otton (knee) is unable to play. Even if Otton is out, Shepard will be an uninspiring WR4/5 in deeper leagues with a lot on the line in Week 16. Shepard has only scored one TD this year, and it came all the way back on Oct. 3. He also hasn't had more than five catches or 63 yards in a game in 2024.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. As Week 16 prep begins, the Buccaneers are without their No. 3 receiver. Any sort of injury should raise concern for fantasy managers, especially with the fantasy playoffs in full swing. However, it's too early to hit the panic button. Shepard still has two more opportunities to log a limited or full practice when the Buccaneers take the field on Thursday and Friday. If his participation status improves and he manages to play in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, Shepard would rank as a low-end WR4 for fantasy purposes.