Sterling Shepard spent the 2016 through 2023 seasons playing his home games at MetLife Stadium. The receiver was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants, whom he spent the first eight seasons of his career with. Now, Shepard is headed back to East Rutherford, New Jersey, but he will now be playing for the New York Jets.
After spending the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sheppard signed with the Houston Texans, but he was released before the start of the season. Now, he will join the Jets' practice squad, according to Mike Garafolo.
Shepard has 443 career receptions for 4,800 yards. All but 71 of those receptions and 705 of those yards came while playing for a New York-based team. Sheppard brings receiving depth to a depth that just lost Omar Cooper Jr. to an ankle injury. The rookie first-rounder had a huge play during New York's opening drive in Week 1, but he immediately went down with the injury that has his status as week-to-week.
Cooper doesn't appear to be a candidate for the injured reserve, and the Jets do have some other intriguing pass catching options, including Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, but adding depth was important for the team. Shepard can line up outside or in the slot. He has reliable hands and is a solid route runner. While the receiver is on the practice squad as of now, he is a candidate to be promoted to the 53-man roster prior to Cooper's return.