Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 315 lbs |
| Birthplace: Ajax, CA |
| Age: 32 |
| School: SIMON |
| Experience: 9 |
Next Game
-
0:59Ravens Look to Bounce Back vs. Cowboys in Week 3
-
1:16Saints Prove They are For Real, Despite Mediocrity of NFC South
-
1:19Saints Have Found Their QB of the Future in Tyler Shough
-
2:08NFL Week 3 Picks: Raiders at Saints
-
1:57Fantasy Football Week 3: Buy or Sell Candidates
-
1:48Tyler Shough's Success on 3rd and 4th Down
-
0:43Have the Saints Found Franchise QB in Tyler Shough?
-
1:35Can Saints or Panthers Save NFC South?
-
1:31NFL Sunday Week 2: Biggest Winners
-
4:44NFL Week 2 Winners and Losers | HQ NFL
-
0:16'The Saints turn out the lights!' Last-second interception of Lamar Jackson seals upset of Ravens
-
0:36Chris Olave Hauls in Touchdown for the Saints
-
0:37Juwan Johnson Converts on 3rd & Long vs. Ravens
-
0:39Lamar Jackson Throws 22-Yard TD to Rashod Bateman
-
0:31Derrick Henry Scores a Ravens Touchdown
-
0:43Lions Schedule Gets Easier After Tough Start
-
1:32Breaking Down the Lions' Defensive Struggles
-
1:31Dan Campbell's Role in Lions' Rough Start
-
1:31Has the Detroit Lions Defense Gone Missing?
-
1:40Rutgers Offense Led By Duff & Raymond
2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 7 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top Nathan Shepherd News
-
-
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.
... See More ... See Less -
-
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.
... See More ... See Less -
-
-
-
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.
... See More ... See Less -
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.
... See More ... See Less -
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.
... See More ... See Less -
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.
... See More ... See Less -
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.
... See More ... See Less -
-
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.
... See More ... See Less -
-
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.
... See More ... See Less -
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.
... See More ... See Less -
-
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.
... See More ... See Less -
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.
... See More ... See Less













