Jets sign ex-Giant Sterling Shepard to practice squad as injuries mount at WR

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Sep 15, 2026

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — With injuries mounting in their wide receiver room, the Jets are adding a veteran to its practice squad.

The Jets will sign Sterling Shepard to their practice squad.

The move comes after rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr. suffered an ankle injury that is likely to sideline him. NFL Network reported that Cooper sustained an ankle sprain, but his MRI results brought “positive news.” He is considered week-to-week.

For now, Cooper appears to have avoided an injured reserve stint. Veteran Tim Patrick is already on IR because of a groin injury.

Cooper had just one catch in the Jets’ 23-10 victory over the Titans on Sunday, but it was impactful. On the opening drive, Cooper caught a 30-yard pass from Geno Smith on third-and-9, moving the ball to Tennessee’s 4-yard line. That helped set up Kenyon Sadiq’s end-around touchdown, which gave the Jets an early lead.

Shepard, 33, is familiar with the New Jersey area after the Giants selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Giants, recording 372 catches for 4,095 yards and 23 touchdowns in 90 games.

After leaving the Giants, Shepard spent two seasons with the Buccaneers in a complementary role. He appeared in 27 games and caught 71 passes for 705 yards and two touchdowns.

Shepard briefly spent time with the Texans during training camp before being released during final roster cuts in August.

The signing of Shepard makes sense because the Jets lack depth and experience at wide receiver behind starters Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith are the other two receivers on the active roster, but they have combined for just 36 career catches and 258 yards.

In addition to bringing Shepard in for a workout, the Jets brought in JuJu Smith-Schuster. They worked out Tyler Johnson, who they will sign to their practice squad. The Jets also added safety John Saunders to their practice squad.

Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a groin injury against the Titans. Head coach Aaron Glenn did not provide an update on Fitzpatrick during his Monday morning news conference. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Fitzpatrick is expected to miss two to three weeks.

The Jets will also sign cornerback Jordan Clark to their active roster from the practice squad. He played in six games for the Jets last season after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2025.

Gang Green released linebacker Jaden Keller and Xavier Newman from the practice squad on Tuesday.

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