Who Should I Start? Sterling Shepard or Curtis Samuel

Tuesday, October 28, 4:32 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has seen an increase in playing time as a result of injuries to Chris Godwin (leg) and Mike Evans (collarbone). Shepherd had his quietest game of the season in the Bucs' blowout 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8, catching just one of two targets for eight yards. The veteran wideout had caught multiple balls in every other game up until last week and saw a season high of seven targets in Week 7 against the Lions. Still, the upside isn't very high for the 32-year-old even in a good Tampa Bay offense, as he has provided little value after the catch. Rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson have emerged as the go-to targets at wide receiver for Baker Mayfield, with tight end Cade Otton filling a complementary role. Fantasy managers who are in desperate need of a flex who will run a lot of routes can look to Shepherd as a possible option.

Monday, October 13, 6:21 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck, ribs) is officially inactive for the Monday night contest on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. In addition to Samuel, the Bills' offense will be missing tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) against what has been a much-improved Atlanta defense so far in 2025. The 29-year-old Samuel hasn't been on the fantasy radar to begin with, but his absence on Monday means less depth in the wideout corps for Buffalo behind Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. The Bills have their bye coming in Week 7, so hopefully Samuel will be ready to go for a Week 8 contest against the Carolina Panthers. Samuel has only been active for two games so far in 2025 and has caught three of his four targets for 35 yards and one touchdown. He had just one TD in 14 games a year ago for Buffalo and should remain on the waiver wire.