The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today elevated punter Trenton Gill and wide receiver Sterling Shepard from the practice squad to the active roster for Tampa Bay's Week 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. It marks the first elevation of the season for Gill and the second for Shepard.
In addition, the Buccaneers have downgraded tackle Luke Goedeke to OUT for Sunday's game against Philadelphia. Tampa Bay has also added running back Rachaad White to the injury report as Questionable due to an illness.
Gill (6-4, 219) was signed to the Buccaneers practice squad on Sept. 24. He originally entered the league as a seventh-round selection (No. 255 overall) by the Chicago Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 34 career games, all for the Bears, punting 133 times for a gross punting average of 46.1 and a net punting average of 39.1. Most recently, Gill spent the 2024 training camp with the Denver Broncos. The Hillsborough, North Carolina, native played collegiately at North Carolina State (2017-21), appearing in 36 career games and punting 173 times for a 45.8 gross average – the highest mark in program history. He wears No. 16 for Tampa Bay.
Shepard (5-10, 198), who appeared in Tampa Bay's Week 3 game vs. Denver, originally entered the league as a second-round pick (No. 40 overall) by the New York Giants in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 91 career games, making 74 starts and totaling 372 receptions for 4,095 yards and 23 receiving touchdowns. Shepard concluded his time in New York ranking fifth all-time in franchise history in receptions. The Heritage Hall, Oklahoma, native played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma (2012-15), appearing in 50 career games and amassing 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. Shepard received first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2014 and 2015, and was named a first-team All-American in 2015 after establishing career highs with 86 receptions, 1,288 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns with Baker Mayfield as his quarterback. He wears No. 17 for Tampa Bay.
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