EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants have added another wide receiver named Shepard.
Russell Shepard, who has played five seasons in the NFL, today signed with the Giants, one week after he was released by the Carolina Panthers. He joins his namesake, Sterling Shepard, as well as his former teammate at LSU, Odell Beckham, Jr., in the Giants' receiving corps.
Russell Shepard, 6-1 and 195 pounds, was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2013-16 and Carolina last season. He has played in 72 regular-season games with nine starts, and caught 47 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns. Shepard has also played in one postseason game.
In 2017, Shepard played in 15 games with three starts for the Panthers. He finished with 17 receptions for 202 yards and one touchdown and averaged 21.7 yards on three kickoff returns. The previous season, he had career-high totals of 23 catches for 341 yards and two touchdowns for the Bucs.
Shepard entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Philadelphia in 2013. He was released at the end of training camp and claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay. Shepard joined the Panthers last year as a free agent.
At LSU, Shepard played wide receiver, running back and quarterback.
To make room on the 90-man roster, the Giants waived first-year cornerback Tim Scott, who played in one game for the Giants in 2017. He made his NFL debut as a reserve safety vs. the Rams on Nov. 5.
Photos of the newest Giants wide receiver, Russell Shepard
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) runs into Miami Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain (28) Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) runs after a catch during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Russell Shepard (19) misses a catch as Atlanta Falcons' Desmond Trufant (21) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) during an NFL football wild card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 in New Orleans. The Saints won, 31-26. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) runs onto the field during player introductions before an NFL regular season football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Charlotte. The Panthers won, 31-24. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (NFL Photos via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) during an NFL football NFC wild card playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in New Orleans. The Saints defeated the Panthers, 31-26. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) goes in motion during the 2017 NFL week 15 regular season football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won the game 31-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) stiff arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ryan Smith (29) as he runs during an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 in Tampa, Fla. Carolina won 17-3. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Russell Shepard (19) catches the ball during a week 5 NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Detroit. Carolina won 27-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) runs after the catch in front of San Diego Chargers cornerback Craig Mager (29) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in San Diego. Tampa Bay won 28-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) catches a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) catches a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, November 22, 2015, Philadelphia. The Buccaneers defeated the Eagles 45-17. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) catches a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Russell Shepard (89) during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 30, 2016 in Tampa, Fla ( Tom DiPace via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) runs for a touchdown as he gets past Philadelphia Eagles safety Ed Reynolds (30) during the first half of a the preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
