The Green Bay Packers are releasing wide receiver and punt returner Will Sheppard during final roster cutdowns on Sunday, per Bill Huber of Packers on SI.
Sheppard, who was in his second season in Green Bay, caught a pair of touchdown passes and returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown during the preseason. His big plays, including an incredible toe-drag touchdown catch in Denver and the electric punt return for a score in the preseason finale, gave Sheppard a chance to make the first 53. But it wasn't to be. The numbers worked against him at wide receiver.
Sheppard was tied with Isaiah Neyor for the team lead with 10 catches during the preseason. He was one of only four players to return a punt for a touchdown across the NFL this preseason.
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Packers are expected to go into the regular season with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Bo Melton and Skyy Moore as the top six receivers.
Two questions to answer now: Will rookie J. Michael Sturidvant make the team as the seventh receiver? And will Sheppard return on the practice squad, or will he find a better opportunity elsewhere? Both Sturdivant and Sheppard looked like roster-caliber players this summer, but every team has young receivers they like.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers releasing preseason star at WR during final cuts
