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Today is Jets defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd’s 26th birthday. One of his gifts for the day is a shiny new six game suspension, courtesy of the NFL, for violations of league policy regarding performance enhancing drugs.
Shepherd had a disappointing rookie year in 2018 and followed that up with a disappointing pre-season this year, arguably outplayed by fellow 2018 draft pick and backup defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi. He is old for his experience level, coming out of a tiny college program. It was always going to be an uphill battle for Shepherd to carve out a role in the NFL. A six game suspension just made that hill a little steeper.
Shepherd will miss the next six games and the bye week. He will next be available to play for the Jets in week nine of the 2019 NFL season. It will not be a huge surprise if by then there is no room on the roster for him.