Lito

Sheppard

The cousin was reportedly murdered in Jacksonville. Sheppard hopes to return under less tragic circumstances in two weeks.

He’ll be ready to start in the playoffs.

Sheppard is making just his first visit of the free agent season, so this could be just an effort by his agent to drum up interest. The Vikes could use veteran depth at corner, but they’ve obviously been in no hurry to add Sheppard.

The Bengals also worked out free agent TE Donald Lee. Cincinnati is thin in its secondary with Kelly Jennings battling a hamstring injury and Pacman Jones (neck) on the PUP list, so it’s a good bet one of Sheppard or Lindley will be signed on Wednesday.

Regulars Chris Johnson (hamstring) and DeMarcus Van Dyke (hamstring) are both out. That leaves Sheppard, who has been highly ineffective ever since leaving the Eagles and is in his second game as a Raider. Both passing offenses have plus matchups tonight.

Sheppard was among the Raiders’ final cuts in September. His tank running on close to empty at age 30, Sheppard’s addition could signal concern about Chris Johnson’s (hamstring) status going forward. Rookie Demarcus Van Dyke has taken over as the Raiders’ right corner and figures to keep the job.

With starting left cornerback Chris Johnson (undisclosed surgery) still sidelined, the Raiders are looking for depth. Sheppard was brutal in Minnesota last season and predictably drew scant interest on the open market. He does add starting experience to a team that has youngsters Demarcus Van Dyke, Jeremy Ware, and Walter McFadden looking at significant roles.

Sheppard was signed as insurance for LCB Chris Johnson eight days ago, but Johnson was able to return to practice on Tuesday. Sheppard has started just 12 games since the end of the 2007 season, and was highly ineffective when on the field for the Vikings last year.

The Eagles’ starter struggled last season before suffering a severe high ankle sprain that landed him on IR.

It looks like reports saying he’d be back on the field for voluntary workouts were premature. Sheppard is a good candidate for value in deep IDP leagues because teams throw at him a lot and he’ll make a handful of big plays.