Chargers players accused Shepherd of deliberately seeking to injure quarterback Justin Herbert on a play in Los Angeles’ 26-8 victory Sunday.
Shepherd and Chargers shortstop Bradley Bozeman were called for unnecessary roughness when Shepherd appeared to twist Herbert’s right ankle after he had already carried Herbert to the field. Bozeman jumped on Shepherd’s lead and pushed him away from Herbert.
Bozeman was no longer fined for games.
On Monday, Saints teacher Dennis Allen defended Shepherd against the Chargers’ accusations.
“Here’s a guy trying to wrap up the quarterback. He’s on the ground, he has no idea if the quarterback has the ball or not. He’s just trying to tackle the quarterback,” Allen mentioned. “There was nothing malicious about that play. That’s a guy trying to make the play. I went back and looked at that play again after seeing the comments and I don’t agree with it.”
Bozeman told reporters Sunday that he was trying to protect Herbert, who sprained his right ankle in Season 2 this season. Chargers teacher Jim Harbaugh gave him a game ball.
“He will give everything for this team and I appreciate what he did,” Herbert said before the game. “I tried to get him away so he wouldn’t get a penalty, but having a guy like that defending you, there’s no better feeling.”
Shepherd and the Saints (2-6) will have a tough time snapping a six-game losing streak once they face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Running back Jamaal Williams was downgraded from doubtful to out and did not walk with the team, and wide receiver Bub Method and running back Kendre Miller were placed on injury hold Saturday. This is the second stay on IR for Miller this season.
