Nathan Shepherd Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Falcons vs Saints game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Mar 10, 2025
Receives extension from Saints
The Saints signed Shepherd to a one-year extension Monday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd has been an integral part of New Orleans' defensive line over his first two seasons with the team, recording 87 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks, across 33 regular-season games (30 starts). The Fort Hays State product was previously under contract through the 2025 season, so this extensions will keep him in New Orleans for the next two years. Expect Shepherd to serve as one of the Saint's top interior defensive linemen again in 2025.
Jan 8, 2025
Plays 16 games in 2024
Shepherd made one solo tackle during Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Buccaneers.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd appeared in 16 regular-season games for New Orleans in 2024, in which span he made 37 tackles (16 solo) including 1.5 sacks. The starting defensive tackle is entering the final year of his deal with the Saints, though New Orleans has a potential 'out' from his contract this offseason.
Dec 29, 2024
Able to suit up Sunday
Shepherd (eye) is active for Sunday's Week 17 tilt against Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd was a last-minute inactive last Monday against Green Bay after suffering an eye injury. However, he logged an LP/LP/FP practice progression this week and will be able to take the field Sunday. Shepherd's return has resulted in John Ridgeway (coach's decision) being a healthy scratch for Week 17.
Dec 27, 2024
Questionable to play vs. Raiders
Shepherd (eye) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders after logging a full practice Friday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd suffered an eye injury during the Raiders' Week 16 loss to the Packers. He was listed as a limited practice participant on the Saints' first two injury reports of the week, but he finished strong Friday with a full session and appears to be on track to play Sunday even with the questionable tag. Shepherd has registered 32 tackles (13 solo), including 1.5 sacks, across 14 regular-season games.
Dec 25, 2024
Estimated as full participant
Shepherd (eye) was listed as a full participant in New Orleans' practice estimate Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd is seemingly healthy after having suffered an eye injury during the team's Week 16 shutout loss to the Packers. He should return to his role as one of the team's starting defensive tackles for Sunday's matchup versus the Raiders.
Dec 23, 2024
Suffers eye injury, out Monday
Shepherd (eye) is inactive for Monday's Week 16 game against Green Bay.
ANALYSIS
It's not clear when or how Shepherd's eye injury occurred, but he was deemed questionable to play less than three hours before Monday's 8:15 PM ET kickoff and has subsequently been deemed inactive. The veteran defensive tackle had logged between 40 and 52 percent of New Orleans' defensive snaps over the past five weeks. Bryan Bresee could see an increase of work on defense with Shepherd out Monday.
Oct 16, 2024
Good to go for Week 7
Shepherd (groin) was limited during Wednesday's walkthrough but does not carry an injury designation into Thursday's game against Denver.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd has been listed as a limited participant all week after picking up a groin injury during Sunday's loss to the Bucs, but the 2018 third-round pick will suit up Thursday. Shepherd has logged 17 tackles (nine solo) through the first six games of the regular season.
Oct 14, 2024
Dealing with groin issue
Shepherd (groin) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.
ANALYSIS
The Fort Hays State product played 46 total snaps (39 defensive and seven on special teams) and recorded three total tackles in the Saints' Week 6 loss to the Buccaneers, but it appears he sustained a groin injury in the process. Shepherd's participation Tuesday and Wednesday will provide a better indication of whether he can play through injury in Thursday night's matchup against the Broncos.
Aug 14, 2024
Back in action
Shepherd (toe) is healthy once again, Bob Rose of Sports Illustrated reports.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd was dealing with a toe injury but returned to action during the Saints' preseason matchup versus the Cardinals last week and recorded two tackles, including 0.5 sacks. The 30-year-old will now look to continue producing after the regular season starts.
Aug 4, 2024
Misses practice due to toe injury
Shepherd didn't participate in practice Sunday due to a toe issue, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The exact nature and severity of Shepherd's injury are unclear, and it remains to be seen how long he'll be sidelined. The defensive tackle has been a very reliable presence in recent campaigns, playing in all 17 contests each of the past three regular seasons. Shepherd is slated to again be a prominent part of the Saints' defensive interior in the second year of a three-year contract he signed in March 2023.
Jan 18, 2024
Improves production again in 2023
Shepherd appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 regular season, logging 50 tackles and three sacks.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd set a new career high in tackles for the fourth season in a row while also accumulating three 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.
Mar 15, 2023
Lands in Big Easy
The Saints are slated to sign Shepard to a three-year, $15 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd's deal reportedly includes $10.2 million guaranteed. The veteran defensive tackle is coming off back-to-back 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.
Mar 16, 2022
Re-signs with Jets
Shepherd agreed to re-sign with the Jets on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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 -- including at least 40 percent in each of the final five weeks of the season. The 2018 third-round pick figures to see a similar role during the 2022 campaign.
Nov 21, 2021
Set to face Dolphins
Shepherd (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Randy Lange of the Jets' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd entered Sunday with a questionable tag, though he will be able to suit up after logging three limited practices during the week. He's served a rotational role along the Jets' defensive line and a key role on the special teams unit throughout the season. Shepherd has 11 total tackles on the campaign.
Nov 19, 2021
Questionable for Sunday
Shepherd (knee) is questionable to play Sunday against the Dolphins, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd logged three straight limited practices this week and it remains to be seen if he'll end up playing or not. For what is worth, he's yet to miss a game this season, though he's never played more than 45 percent of the defensive snaps in a single game. As such, his fantasy appeal probably won't be too high if he's available.
Oct 10, 2021
Suits up Sunday
Shepherd (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
ANALYSIS
With three tackles in four games to date, Shepard is off the fantasy radar, but the availability of the 2018 third-rounder for Sunday's contest bolsters the depth of Jets' defensive line in Week 5 versus the Falcons.
Oct 8, 2021
Questionable for Week 5
Shepherd (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reports.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd was forced to miss practice Wednesday and was a limited participant in practice Thursday with a knee injury. There's optimism the defensive lineman will be able to play Sunday as he was upgraded to a full participant in Friday's practice. Expect Folorunso Fatukasi to serve as the Jets' main defensive linemen off the bench if Shepherd is ruled out.
Nov 9, 2020
Active for Week 9
Shepherd (back) is active heading into Monday night's matchup against the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd was completely held out of practice Thursday while dealing with a back issue, though in retrospect, that may have been a precautionary measure given that the 27-year-old is ready for action on Monday night. With Quinnen Williams (hamstring) ruled out ahead of the Week 9 AFC East clash, Shepherd may register his first start at defensive end since 2018.
Nov 5, 2020
Dealing with injury
Shepherd (back) didn't suit up in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but it's not a good sign for Shepherd's chances for Monday's game against the Patriots. If Shepherd was forced to miss game action, Bryce Huff would be in line to see in uptick in snaps for Week 9.
Dec 12, 2019
Active for Thursday's contest
Shepherd (ankle) is active for Thursday's contest against the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
Shepherd has been limited in practice all week, but he will suit up for Thursday's primetime matchup. He will likely be used as a depth option along the defensive line.
Dec 11, 2019
Status uncertain for TNF
Shepherd (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Ravens, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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 will likely 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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