Although Bucs wide receiver Sterling Shepard signed with the team later in the offseason than some other free agents, he feels like it was “the perfect time.”

Part of the reason is that it allowed Shepard to enjoy time with his family and look ahead to his next steps. For now, that means competing to make the roster and play with his old quarterback, and this week at mini-camp he spoke about how he feels entering this season.

Sterling Shepard Has Fought Through A Lot Of Injuries To Get Where He Is

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Sterling Shepard admitted on Tuesday that he has been through his “fair share” of injuries throughout his career, and it is something that has tested his will and resolve in recent years.

In December 2021, he suffered a torn left Achilles. In September 2022, it was a torn left ACL. Both of those were major injuries, and a lot of players would have given up. Shepard has been able to stay strong and rely on his mindset and faith to get through the tough times.

“It’s the mentality, man,” Shepard said. “It’s the only way I can explain it and God’s got my back. I’m huge in my faith so I try not to worry about the things that I can’t control and injuries are something that you really can’t control. You can prepare all you want to and sometimes things just go that way. You just got to have faith and I think that’s what really pulled me through.”

Sterling Shepard Still Kept In Shape, But Now Wants To Get Into “Tip-Top Shape”

After having mostly a reserve role for the Giants last season, Sterling Shepard took some time away this offseason to be a starting dad.

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It took the right opportunity to persuade him to come back, and he now has a chance to play with his old college pal and crack the Bucs’ roster as a veteran depth option.

“I was in straight daddy mode, man,” Shepard said. “I was taking my kids to school every morning, which was great. Spending time with them. Kind of trying to figure out next steps, but I did keep my body in shape just in case something like this happened and it was good that I did.”

He also spent time staying in shape in case an opportunity arose to come back.

“I was running, I wasn’t running routes,” Shepard said. “I was still sprinting and doing stuff like that just in case something happened. Not as much as I probably should have been, now that I’ve been out at practice one day but its hard to simulate actually going against somebody. I got to get my body back into tip-top shape and I felt a little sloppy out there today.”

Baker Mayfield Addresses Sterling Shepard Signing At Bucs Mini-Camp

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has been friends with Sterling Shepard for a long time, and he shared his first thoughts about the move on Wednesday.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“[Shepard’s] a veteran guy who’s going into year nine,” Mayfield said. “Had some injuries in the past but is looking for a fresh start, obviously, I can relate to that part.” Mayfield went on to add that “it’s great to have him here. He’s a guy who’s always got a smile on his face, works his tail off, and brings a little juice when it comes to the mental side of things. He gets fired up so it’s good to have him back, one of the longtime friends, good to have him back.”

What makes Shepard such a valuable teammate? Mayfield shared some of the qualities that he has seen up close in his newest Bucs wide receiver.

“’Shep’ has always been a family man,” Mayfield added. “He’s an unbelievable guy, unbelievable teammate, in terms of his work ethic. Obviously, he’s not the biggest guy but he works to be able to compete at this level. He’s not a selfish guy – it’s never been about him, it’s always been about, whether it was Oklahoma football…Obviously, with his dad playing there, he was always a program guy. Then, in the NFL, it’s about, ‘How do you win?’ He carries that same mentality and works his tail off to do it.”

In the race to claim one of the final spots at the wide receiver position, the next month will be crucial for Sterling Shepard to round into form and show flashes of the guy that he was in the first half of his NFL career. If he does, he may just have to put off daddy mode for a little while longer.