Will Sheppard Physical Fail NFL Buccaneers
iStockphoto / © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Will Sheppard will not begin his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after all. The former Colorado and Vanderbilt wide receiver did not make the team after he failed his physical.
It is unclear as to why!
Sheppard, 23, did not get picked during the NFL Draft. However, it was announced almost immediately after the conclusion of the seventh and final round that he signed with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent. His deal with the Bucs, like all new signings, was contingent on a physical exam.
Sheppard was of the best wide receivers in the SEC while at Vanderbilt in 2022 and 2023. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound pass-catcher recorded 107 total catches for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns during those two years. He was the brightest star on a Commodores team that went 7-17.
Sheppard ultimately decided to enter the transfer portal for his fifth season of college football even though was poised for even more success at Vandy with Diego Pavia. Colorado got him the ball 48 times for 621 yards and six touchdowns. It was a good year, not a great year.
Will Sheppard was mostly used in the red zone as a jump-ball target but he wants to prove himself as a more well-rounded receiver on the next level. Tampa initially gave him that opportunity.
I think just going out, showing I’m more than a red zone threat […] That’s something I’m building on.
I can do it all. I’m big. I’m more than just a possession, go up and get it kind of receiver. I can run routes, run after the catch. I can do everything, play inside, play outside.
— Will Sheppard
Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, Sheppard’s NFL career is currently put on hold. He failed his physical and did not make the Buccaneers roster for rookie minicamp. It is unclear as to whether the failure is due to an injury or if it stems from conditioning issues. Likely the former.
Fortunately, this is not the end! The NCAA actually does something right in this instance. All college athletes are insured for injuries for two years after they leave their sports program.
The NCAA sponsors a post-eligibility insurance program that supports student-athletes beyond their playing days. For up to two years (104 weeks) after student-athletes separate from school or voluntarily withdraw from athletics, the program covers excess accident medical expenses for athletically related injuries sustained during participation in an NCAA qualifying intercollegiate sport. The program provides excess insurance coverage for properly documented covered injuries that occur on or after Aug. 1, 2024. The program is available to all student-athletes at all institutions in all divisions.
— NCAA
Sheppard is automatically covered for two years.
The coverage provides benefits in excess of any other valid and collectible insurance. The policy has a $90,000 excess limit per injury, with no deductible. Of the $90,000 available, up to $25,000 is available for mental health services related to an eligible, documented athletic injury. For up to two years (104 weeks) after student-athletes separate from school or voluntarily withdraw from athletics, the program covers excess accident medical expenses for athletically related injuries sustained during participation in an NCAA qualifying intercollegiate sport.
— NCAA
The ‘Post-Eligibility Insurance Program‘ will allow Will Sheppard to get healthy and try again to make a team (Tampa Bay or otherwise) when he is back to 100%. This is a minor setback for a major comeback.
Grayson Weir BroBible editor avatar