The National Football League announced today that New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd has been named the Week 10 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. It is the first conference player of the week honor for Shepherd in his eight-year NFL career.

Shepherd, 6-4, 315, was originally a third round selection (72nd overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets out of Fort Hays State, joining the Black and Gold as an unrestricted free agent in 2023. He earned the special teams honor after blocking a 48-yard field goal attempt by Carolina Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald in the third quarter of the contest, with the Saints holding onto a 10-7 edge in Sunday’s 17-7 win at Bank of America Stadium. In addition to his heroics on special teams, Shepherd enjoyed a productive afternoon on defense, recording two solo stops and one sack, playing a pivotal role in a run-stopping effort where the Saints defense allowed only 73 yards rushing on 23 attempts (3.2 avg.).

Shepherd is enjoying a productive season in his third campaign in New Orleans. In ten games with six starts, he has posted 29 tackles, including two sacks for a loss of 21 yards and his first career blocked field goal. His tackle and sack totals lead the Saints front line.

In his eight-year career, Shepherd has played in 116 games with 48 starts and recorded 227 tackles (115 solo), 12.5 sacks, 22 stops for a loss and one blocked field goal. This is the second conference player of the week honor by a Saint this season, with cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry earning Week Five NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and the third straight campaign a Saint has earned league weekly Special Teams honors.