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The Detroit Lions have the day off from training camp practice, but as we typically see during the season, Tuesday is workout day for the team. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions are hosting former Giants linebacker Kelvin Sheppard for a visit.
Former Giants, Dolphins and Bills LB Kelvin Sheppard is working out today for the Detroit Lions, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2018
Sheppard is a former third-round pick from the Buffalo Bills in 2011. Just two years into his career in Buffalo, Sheppard was traded to the Colts for defensive end Jerry Hughes. Sheppard would only spend a year with the Colts before jumping to the Dolphins for a couple years, and eventually landing with the Giants for the past two seasons.
Throughout his career, Sheppard has played mostly as an inside linebacker. Here’s what The Phinsider’s Kevin Nogle said of Sheppard after his two seasons with the Dolphins:
Sheppard spent two years with the Dolphins, working primarily as a special teams player in 2014. He was installed as the starting middle linebacker in 2015, and he was a solid player. He was second on the team in tackles, and he was out there every single week in a year in which the Dolphins struggled with injuries to their linebackers. He is not going to be spectacular, but he is going to be around the ball, he is going to make tackles, and he is going to be a solid all-around player. The Dolphins felt they could upgrade the linebacker positions all around this year, especially at middle linebacker, and that is why they allowed Sheppard to leave without re-signing him. He is not a “field general” type of linebacker, but he will be able to fill a position and should not have too many mistakes.
For the Lions, Sheppard could provide some depth to a brand-new linebacking corps that is instrumental to the Lions’ success under Matt Patricia’s new defensive scheme. With Sheppard’s former teammate Devon Kennard still on the Non-Football Injury list and rookie UDFA Chad Meredith missing Monday’s practice, the Lions could also just use another body at training camp.
We’ll see if the Lions decide to make a move on Sheppard later this week.