Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been ruled out of Tampa Bay’s Sunday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys with a hamstring injury. Shepard left the game in the third quarter after a 14-yard reception, after which Shepard left the field, grabbing the back of his leg.
Sterling Shepard is OUT for the remainder of today’s game (hamstring). pic.twitter.com/jrHZ3U9EEb
— Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) December 23, 2024
Shepard has been a godsend to a Bucs receiving corps beset by injuries this season. After Chris Godwin was lost for the season and Mike Evans went down with his own hamstring injury, Shepard became Tampa Bay’s de facto WR1 until Evans’ return. This season, Shepard has 30 catches for 303 yards and a touchdown, adding seven carries for 55 yards.
With Shepard out, the Bucs will continue to lean on Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan to lead the receiver group. Shepard’s experience is not easily replaced, though Ryan Miller has come up big on a few plays in his first season with the Bucs. Second-year WR Rakim Jarrett should also see more work on offense.