Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the move clears up just over $3 million in cap space. Shepherd is one of many Saints players who saw their contract restructured this week. New Orleans began the offseason projected at $75 million over the 2024 salary cap. They got some good news earlier this week when the NFL informed teams the cap would be $255 million this year. That is over $10 million higher than most analysts expected for the upcoming year. Between the cap boost and some contract reworks, the Saints are well on their way toward getting under the cap for 2024.

Shepherd, 28, appeared in all 17 games last season, getting in on a career-high 495 snaps (42%), but he registered zero sacks and zero TFLs. He's merely a rotational piece.

Shepherd has been limited in practice all week, but he will suit up for Thursday's primetime matchup. He will likely be used as a depth option along the defensive line.

Shepherd popped up on the injury report as a limited participant all week, and he's one of four defensive linemen listed with injuries. If he's able to play and either Henry Anderson (shoulder) or Quinnen Williams (neck) can't go, Shepherd will likely start at defensive end. The final verdict on their statuses will be revealed 90 minutes before the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.