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Shep has been a superb addition.

Buccaneers coach gives glowing Sterling Shepard scouting report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On the list of players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would have to lean on heavily in the early part of the season, receiver Sterling Shepard likely wasn't high on that list.

But with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and now Emeka Egbuka all injured, someone has to step up for Josh Grizzard's offense over the past two weeks, and that has been Shepard.

Already with a good relationship with Baker Mayfield, the pair have been on a good wavelength all season, to the point where Shepard is second in yards (242) and receptions (19) for the Buccaneers.

And for receivers coach Bryan McClendon, he can't express how much of a plus it has been having Shepard as part of this team.

"Shep has been just a great addition,” McClendon said. “Just the energy that he brings. A guy that you saw had all the ability in the world, he's had a great career, and you're getting him at a time where quite frankly, was really benefiting us and him just because he's seasoned, he's able to pass on the lessons and everything else.

“He really embodies everything that you want a guy to be able to go out there on a day-to-day basis and bring as far as energy, knowing what to do, knowing how to do it, and then to bring as many guys along with him. We're truly blessed to have the guy, but way more off the field than we are on the field."

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It appears that Godwin and Emeka are looking like they will be out for the week 7 clash against the Detroit Lions, while Evans is hoping to play after a hamstring injury has seen him sidelined for the past three weeks.

That all means that Shepard is likely going to have to be called upon again for the offense, and he's already proven he's up to the task, but against the Lions at Ford Field, that is a tough assignment.

But if the Buccaneers are to plant their NFC flag in the ground, they will have to take care of Detroit, and Shepard is going to have to show up once again for Mayfield and the offense.

Yes, he's a veteran, but he is proving why he was such a shrewd pick-up by the front office and being one of the leaders in the absence of Godwin and Evans, "Shep" is doing his part to keep things afloat until reinforcements arrive.

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Buccaneers coach gives glowing Sterling Shepard scouting report

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