There are only 19 days until the 2017 NFL season kicks off. To celebrate, let’s talk about #19 for the Panthers - WR Russell Shepard.
Bio
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 195 lbs
Age: 26
College: LSU
Hometown: Houston, TX
Experience: 5 years
Career
Shepard was signed as a free agent by Carolina in March. He spent the first four years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he primarily played on special teams.
Here’s a summary of his career, courtesy of Panthers.com
2016: Played in 14 games with four starts and was inactive for two games for Tampa Bay. Averaged a team-leading 14.8 yards per catch on 23 receptions for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Added one rush for nine yards. Logged two special teams tackles. Started the last four games in place of an injured Cecil Shorts. Inactive with a hip injury versus Atlanta (11/3) and versus Chicago (11/13).
At Carolina (10/10): Recovered a muffed punt by Panthers returner Ted Ginn, Jr.
At San Francisco (10/23): Tallied career highs of five catches and 77 yards with a 19-yard touchdown.
Vs. Oakland (10/30): Caught a 19-yard touchdown.
At New Orleans (12/24): Snagged a career-long 24-yard pass.
2015: Played in 13 games with one start and was inactive for three games for Tampa Bay. Recorded three catches for 28 yards and one touchdown. Led the team with 10 special teams tackles. Made starts at New Orleans (9/20) and versus the New York Giants (11/8). Inactive with a hamstring injury versus Carolina (10/4), versus Jacksonville (10/11) and at Washington (10/25).
At Philadelphia (11/22): Scored first career touchdown on a four-yard reception from quarterback Jameis Winston.
2014: Played in 16 games for Tampa Bay...Posted four receptions for 63 yards. Ranked first on the team with 14 special teams tackles.
At Pittsburgh (9/28): Hauled in first career catch, a 22-yarder on third down that resulted in a first down.
2013: Claimed off waivers from Philadelphia by Tampa Bay (9/1). Played in 14 games for the Buccaneers before being placed on injured reserve (12/17). Finished third on the team with six special teams tackles with one forced fumble. Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Eagles (5/10) and was waived in the final roster cutdown (8/31).
At Seattle (11/3): Forced a fumble by Seahawks kick returner Jermaine Kearse to set up a touchdown.
Vs. San Francisco (12/15): Suffered a season-ending toe injury.
Shepard is expected to fill a similar role in Carolina as he did in Tampa Bay, and will also be the 3rd receiver on the depth chart behind Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess. As the season goes on, he could lose playing time in the offense to rookie WR Curtis Samuel, but he will continue to be an important piece on the special teams unit for the Panthers.
What about you, Panthers fans? What do you think about Russell Shepard?