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

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.

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.

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.