Packers stock up, stock down Week 7: Allen Lazard delivers

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 14: Darrius Shepherd #10 of the Green Bay Packers fumbles the ball in the third quarter on the hit from Dee Virgin #30 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Stock down: Darrius Shepherd

Unfortunately, while Lazard had a big game, another standout from the preseason struggled. Undrafted rookie Darrius Shepherd made two costly turnovers in the game, one on special teams and the other on offense. Both swung the momentum back the Lions’ way.

The first was at a crucial part of the game. Tied at 13-13, the defense stepped up and forced a three-and-out. Shepherd had taken over the return duties, and caught the ball on the Packers’ 34-yard line. Had he called for a fair catch, the Packers would’ve started with good field position with a chance to take the lead. But as he was hit, Shepherd fumbled, allowing the Lions to recover the football on Green Bay’s 25-yard line, eventually leading to a Matt Prater field goal.

Early in the fourth quarter trailing by six, they had an opportunity to take the lead with third-and-seven from Detroit’s 12-yard line. Shepherd was open near the goal line. A catch would’ve, at worst, given the Packers a first-and-goal. At best, he may have been able to score. Shepherd was slightly unlucky as he slipped, but he should’ve still made the catch. Shepherd couldn’t catch the ball, which bounced off his helmet and into the hands of Lions cornerback Justin Coleman.

The Packers stuck with Shepherd on special teams which was good to see, and hopefully he’ll be able to turn it around next week.

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