Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 315 lbs |
| Birthplace: Ajax, CA |
| Age: 32 |
| School: SIMON |
| Experience: 9 |
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Top Nathan Shepherd News
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Possibly primed for big role
Shepherd could be a candidate for an increased snap count in 2026 if Bryan Bresee (knee) cannot play, Doug Joubert of Sports Illustrated reports.
Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL during practice earlier in the week, which would leave a big hole on New Orleans' defensive front. The veteran Shepherd is an obvious contender to take a large chunk of the snaps left behind, although he'll have to compete with John Ridgeway, 2024 sixth-rounder Khristian Boyd and 2025 third-rounder Vernon Broughton, among others.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Out for Sunday
Shepherd (ankle/knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
The Fort Hays State product didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and is now in line to miss the Saints' season finale due to ankle and knee injuries. Shepherd had one of the best years of his career in 2025, tallying 47 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble across 16 contests. While he's sidelined Sunday, expect John Ridgeway to operate as one of the Saints' top defensive ends.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Receives extension from Saints
The Saints signed Shepherd to a one-year extension Monday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Plays 16 games in 2024
Shepherd made one solo tackle during Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Buccaneers.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Able to suit up Sunday
Shepherd (eye) is active for Sunday's Week 17 tilt against Las Vegas.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: 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.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Estimated as full participant
Shepherd (eye) was listed as a full participant in New Orleans' practice estimate Wednesday.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Suffers eye injury, out Monday
Shepherd (eye) is inactive for Monday's Week 16 game against Green Bay.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: 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.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Dealing with groin issue
Shepherd (groin) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Back in action
Shepherd (toe) is healthy once again, Bob Rose of Sports Illustrated reports.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Misses practice due to toe injury
Shepherd didn't participate in practice Sunday due to a toe issue, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
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.
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Saints' Nathan Shepherd: Improves production again in 2023
Shepherd appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 regular season, logging 50 tackles, including 3.0 sacks.
Shepherd set a new career high in tackles for the fourth season in a row while also accumulating at least 3.0 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.
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