Guest of the League
I Like Kickers Est. 2022
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Bucs bring back WR Sterling Shepard, place him on practice squad

Thu Aug 29 6:38pm ET
Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard and placed him on the practice squad, the team announced Thursday.

The Bucs had released Shepard, 31, on Monday in trimming the roster to the initial 53 players before Tuesday's deadline. Shepard, who had signed a one-year, $1.38 million contract with the team in June after eight seasons with the New York Giants, had missed most of training camp and the preseason with an unspecified injury.

"Early on, he showed a lot," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said after Shepard was released. "Then he got injured, missed a lot of time. And that, obviously, has to weigh in on it. Hopefully, we can get him back in some capacity because when he was fresh and he was good, he made a lot of plays."

Coming to the Bucs meant Shepard reuniting with quarterback Baker Mayfield, a teammate at Oklahoma.

Shepard caught 10 passes for 57 yards and one touchdown in 15 games (two starts) with the Giants in 2023.

The 2016 second-round pick left New York with 372 catches for 4,095 yards and 23 TDs in 90 games (74 starts).

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Cutdown Day Fallout

Player Notes
Johnny Wilson Aug 29 8:40pm CT
Johnny Wilson

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (concussion) was held out of practice again on Thursday and remains in the league's concussion protocol. Wilson suffered the concussion on Aug. 13 during joint practices with the New England Patriots and has yet to be allowed to return to practice. It is still being determined whether or not he will be cleared ahead of the Eagles home opener against the Green Bay Packers next Friday night. He's currently the fourth wideout on the team's depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and newly acquired Jahan Dotson. The sixth-round rookie never recorded more than 43 receptions or 897 yards during any of his collegiate seasons, nor does he project to get much playing time this season in a deep Philadelphia wide receiver corps. However, at 6-foot-7, Wilson would pose as a formidable red zone threat if he ever cracked the lineup.

From RotoBaller

Gunner Olszewski Aug 29 8:30pm CT
Gunner Olszewski

New York Giants wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (groin) is "heading in the right direction," as per coach Brian Daboll, and should be ready to roll for the team's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8. Olszewski missed all of minicamp after picking up a foot injury during OTAs and was cleared to participate at the start of training camp before suffering a groin injury back on Aug. 17. The sixth-year veteran isn't expected to contribute much as a receiver as he's not listed as a starting wideout on New York's depth chart. However, he is slated to be the Giants' primary kick returner in 2024. Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton have been rotating on punt returns during his absence, and we expect to see an update on his injury over the coming week. Depending on your league's rules regarding points for kick and punt returns, Olszewski could provide some value for fantasy managers. Otherwise, he is better left alone until the situation on the depth chart before him clears up.

From RotoBaller

Tip Reiman Aug 29 8:20pm CT
Tip Reiman

Arizona Cardinals tight end Tip Reiman (undisclosed) did not practice again on Thursday. Cardinals' head coach Jonathan Gannon has yet to provide the exact nature of his injury, though he said he'd be held out for the rest of the week and return to practice on Monday. The rookie third-round pick has missed time due to an undisclosed reason, though it can't be too serious if he's expected back with the team early next week. Reiman is currently listed as the team's third tight end per its depth chart and brings solid blocking ability to the table. He'll attempt to stave off Travis Vokolek while he is shelved and will slot in behind Trey McBride and Elijah Higgins for playing time this season. Reiman holds little value outside of a deep dynasty league bench stash.

From RotoBaller

Haason Reddick Aug 29 6:20pm CT
Haason Reddick

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas said that nothing has changed on the team's end regarding the situation with defensive end Haason Reddick. Douglas said the team has been "clear and direct" in their communication and said the ball is in their court. "I have faith that this will all get resolved," Douglas said. With just over a week left until the start of the 2024 regular season for the Jets, the 29-year-old Reddick hasn't been with his new team at all this offseason or summer. Reddick, who was traded from the Eagles to the Jets early this offseason, subsequently requested a trade from the Jets, with Douglas saying the organization has no plans to trade him. If Reddick doesn't get a new long-term contract that he desires, it's possible that his holdout could spill over into the regular season. The situation has made him one to avoid in IDP fantasy leagues for now.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Aug 29 6:15pm CT
CeeDee Lamb

The Dallas Cowboys signed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year extension this week, and with that situation taken care of, all eyes shift toward quarterback Dak Prescott. The former fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State is entering the final year of his current deal, and time is running out to reach an extension before Week 1 of the regular season. However, team owner Jerry Jones said the situation remains unchanged, and Todd Archer of ESPN reports the two sides don't appear to be close to a deal. This will be a situation worth monitoring, but there is no indication Prescott will miss any game action if he heads into the season without a long-term contract. With the Cowboys' rushing attack likely to be downgraded this season, Dallas could have a pass-happier offense in 2024. Prescott could be a value pick as his QB10 ADP, especially if he sees additional red zone carries and pass attempts.

Brandon Aiyuk Aug 29 6:11pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has signed a four-year extension with the team, ending his long holdout.

Brandon Aiyuk Aug 29 6:00pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has signed a four-year extension with the organization on Thursday. Finally, the drama is over as Aiyuk will be tied to the team for the next five seasons. The 49ers were forced to open their wallet as they will give Aiyuk $120 million over the next four seasons. Fantasy managers can now safely draft Aiyuk without any worries of him sitting out or a trade happening. Last season, Aiyuk finished with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns in 16 games. The 26-year-old keeps getting better and should remain a focal point in this offense for years to come. He should have enough time to get ready in time for the regular season, so fantasy managers should have Aiyuk in their lineups for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Tim Boyle Aug 29 5:50pm CT
Tim Boyle

The Miami Dolphins have decided to sign quarterback Tim Boyle to their practice squad on Thursday. Boyle was released by the Houston Texans after they opted to keep C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills as their two quarterbacks. The 29-year-old journeyman has appeared in 20 games with four different teams over the last five seasons. During that time, Boyle has thrown for 934 yards with four touchdowns and 12 interceptions, so don't expect any fantasy value for Boyle if he's asked to take over under center at some point. He figures to serve as depth on the practice squad and will be the third option behind Tua Tagovailoa and Skyler Thompson.

From RotoBaller

Trent Taylor Aug 29 5:43pm CT
Trent Taylor

Free-agent WR Tay Martin, TE Mason Pline, WR Trent Taylor and TE Brayden Willis were signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad Wednesday, Aug. 28.

From TheHuddle

Jaret Patterson Aug 29 5:40pm CT
Jaret Patterson

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson has been released by the organization on Thursday. This is a tough break for Patterson who was trying to catch on as a backup in camp. The organization decided to go a different route by claiming fellow back Hassan Haskins off waivers on Wednesday. They also decided to keep sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal who impressed them in camp. Patterson really hasn't done anything since his rookie season in 2021. He ran for 266 yards and scored two touchdowns in 17 games with the Washington Commanders that season. He'll look to catch on as depth elsewhere, but Patterson probably won't have fantasy value on any roster.

From RotoBaller

Robbie Chosen Aug 29 5:30pm CT
Robbie Chosen

The Miami Dolphins have decided to bring in veteran wide receiver Robbie Chosen on Thursday. The 31-year-old will head to the practice squad where he can be claimed by another team at any point. Chosen hasn't made much noise on the field in a few years. He finished with four receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown in nine games with the Dolphins last season. He was in camp with the San Francisco 49ers, but Chosen was unable to make the 53-man roster. This is a depth move in case of an injury, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Chosen to contribute much in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Clayton Tune Aug 29 5:30pm CT
Clayton Tune

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune is set to be the second string option behind Kyler Murray to start the season. This news was expected after quarterback Desmond Ridder was cut by the team earlier this week. Ridder was later signed to the practice squad, but it appears the Cardinals feel comfortable with Tune as the second option going forward. The fifth-round pick completed 12-of-21 passing attempts for zero touchdowns and two interceptions in seven appearances last season. If Murray goes down, it's tough to imagine Tune having any kind of fantasy value as the starter.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Matthews Aug 29 4:43pm CT
Jordan Matthews

Carolina Panthers practice squad TE Jordan Matthews was signed to the 53-man roster Thursday, Aug. 29. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

From TheHuddle

Equanimeous St. Brown Aug 29 4:43pm CT
Equanimeous St. Brown

Free-agent WR Kevin Austin, TE Michael Jacobson, RB Jacob Kibodi and WR Equanimeous St. Brown were signed to the New Orleans Saints practice Wednesday, Aug. 28.

From TheHuddle

Deon Cain Aug 29 4:03pm CT
Deon Cain

Buffalo Bills WR Deon Cain was released from the practice squad on Thursday, Aug. 29.

From TheHuddle

Alec Pierce Aug 29 4:00pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has been receiving high praise from head coach Shane Steichen regarding his consistency through training camp, according to Nate Atkins of the Indy Star. In addition, general manager Chris Ballard has also expressed praise for the third-year wideout. In the final preseason game, Pierce caught both of his targets from quarterback Anthony Richardson and is currently listed as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. If Josh Downs (ankle) is not cleared to play in the season opener, Pierce could see a significant uptick in work along with rookie wideout Adonai Mitchell. If Pierce can establish himself as a reliable No. 3 pass-catcher in this offense, he could be worth stashing in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Zach Evans Aug 29 3:40pm CT
Zach Evans

Free agent running back Zach Evans was released from the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on Thursday afternoon, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. The 23-year-old finished the preseason on a high note by running for 45 yards and scoring two touchdowns but was unable to crack the final roster. Fantasy managers should now expect 25-year-old Ronnie Rivers to serve as the No.3 option behind Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. Evans was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft but saw only nine carries in his rookie season. Dynasty managers should feel confident about cutting ties with the Ole Miss product as he hits the free-agent market.

From RotoBaller

Robbie Chosen Aug 29 3:33pm CT
Robbie Chosen

Free-agent QB Tim Boyle, WR Robbie Chosen and WR Dee Eskridge were signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, Aug. 29.

From TheHuddle

Eric Tomlinson Aug 29 3:33pm CT
Eric Tomlinson

Los Angeles Chargers RB Jaret Patterson was waived on Thursday, Aug. 29. The team also signed TE Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad.

From TheHuddle

Brandin Cooks Aug 29 3:30pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Updating a previous report, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) remained sidelined during the portion of practice that was open to the media, according to John Machota of The Athletic. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed earlier in the week that the veteran was scheduled to return to the field on Thursday, but he may need some more time to get ready. Cooks has been dealing with a lingering knee injury through most of August but is nearing the end of his rehab process. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status prior to the season opener next week. The 30-year-old saw an uptick in touchdowns (eight) last fall compared to the three he caught in 2022 but continued to see a drop in yards, posting only 657. This was his second straight season falling under the 1,000-yard mark. Cooks remains a solid depth option in all leagues, as he should serve as the No.2 receiver in a high-octane Dallas passing attack.

From RotoBaller