Shepard logged considerable playing time in Sunday's 42-14 loss to the Titans, seeing the field for 40 of the Bucs' 74 offensive plays, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The extended action did not reflect on the stat sheet however, with Shepard securing his lone target for six yards. The third-year pro's Week 1 snap count total was equivalent to almost 27 percent of the 154 offensive plays he logged in all of 2014, an anomaly largely dictated by Mike Evans' inactive status for the opener. Shepard's place in the game participation pecking order in the opener was otherwise reflective of his fourth receiver slot behind veteran Louis Murphy, who outpaced him by 20 plays. Shepard could potentially see his snap count cut by as much as half as soon as Evans returns to the field.

Shepard caught two passes for 44 yards and a touchdown on two targets, adding another 12 yards on one carry, in Monday's preseason game against the Bengals.

Shepard recorded all three of his touches before halftime, getting extensive work with the first-team offense, partially because Mike Evans (hamstring) left the game early. Louis Murphy, the favorite to enter Week 1 as Tampa Bay's No. 3 wide receiver, caught just two of five targets for 11 yards. Shepard should see at least a few snaps per game once the season starts, but one strong performance in the preseason probably won't be enough to supplant Murphy.

Bucs placed WR Russell Shepard (toe) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Shepard buzzed in a big way at Eagles camp back in August, but flamed out and was waived at final cuts. He latched on with the Bucs and turned into a special teams standout for 14 games, but didn't catch a pass.

Bucs claimed WR Russell Shepard off waivers from the Eagles.

A second-year undrafted free agent, Shepard found himself near the top of the depth chart earlier this summer after injuries decimated the Eagles' receiver corps, but faded once the preseason lights came on. He's just a depth signing.

Eagles waived WR Russell Shepard.

Thanks to Jeremy Maclin's injury and a hot start to camp, Shepard found himself in the mix for No. 2 wideout duties about three weeks ago. But then Shepard cooled off, Riley Cooper got back in the team's good graces and the numbers caught up with him. The undrafted free agent probably showed enough to get a look on a practice squad. The Eagles will roll with Damaris Johnson, Jason Avant and probably Greg Salas behind DeSean Jackson and Cooper.

The Philadelphia Inquirer doesn't project undrafted Eagles WR Russell Shepard to earn a roster spot.

Per beat writer Jeff McLane, Shepard has "tailed off" following his hot start to camp. Philly Mag made a similar observation last week. The LSU product has just one catch for four yards through two preseason games.

UDFA WR Russell Shepard has "been quiet of late" at Eagles camp.

Shepard started off on fire early in camp, making a push for the No. 2 wideout job following Jeremy Maclin's injury. Now Philly Mag believes he's fighting for one roster spot with Greg Salas. The Eagles are far more likely to use blocking wideout Riley Cooper and Damaris Johnson (a poor man's Tavon Austin) opposite DeSean Jackson. Jason Avant is a strict slot receiver.

CSN Philly considers the Eagles' No. 2 receiver position "Russell Shepard's to lose."

With Jeremy Maclin out for the year and Riley Cooper on leave, Shepard is practicing as the starter opposite DeSean Jackson. And he's playing outside, not in the slot, where veteran Jason Avant is the incumbent. Shepard was a huge high school quarterback recruit when he arrived at LSU, but never found a steady position in college. He's someone to begin considering in Dynasty leagues.

Undrafted WR Russell Shepard is running with the Eagles' first-team offense in Sunday's training camp practice.

Shepard is having a "real nice" camp, according to CSN Philly's Reuben Frank. This comes a week after the Sideline View's Adam Caplan called the ex-LSU Tiger one of the Eagles' "biggest surprises" so far. Shepard is a big-time athlete, as evidenced by his 41 1/2-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. He's a serious sleeper to start opposite DeSean Jackson or even man the slot.

Eagles.com's Adam Caplan considers UDFA WR Russell Shepard one of the team's "biggest surprises" so far at camp.

He means it in a positive way. Shepard also generated rave reviews during the spring, practicing primarily in the slot. While we don't anticipate any fantasy impact from Shepard, he's a definite threat to Jason Avant's roster spot.

The Eagles are using undrafted WR Russell Shepard in the slot during OTAs.

Shepard was considered best suited to play cornerback by some teams going into the draft, but is expected to compete for Eagles' No. 5 receiver job. With Riley Cooper and Arrelious Benn currently ahead of him, Shepard will need a strong camp to make the 53-man roster. His versatility could land him a spot on the practice squad.