The Sports Xchange

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back JaCorey Shepherd will miss the entire 2015 season after an MRI exam on Monday revealed that he tore his anterior-cruciate ligament.

Shepherd is a rookie who was drafted in the sixth round, and typically such players don’t warrant much attention when they are injured. However, Shepherd was the first player to get snaps at the nickel cornerback spot after the Eagles traded away Brandon Boykin.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Shepherd looked like the front-runner for that nickel back position until he was injured.

The injury occurred during Sunday’s practice when Shepherd and running back Darren Sproles ran into each other. Apparently Shepherd’s cleats got caught in the turf, twisting his knee. He was taken off the field on a cart.

Shepherd’s draft status dropped because he did not perform particularly well during pre-draft workouts. However, a hamstring injury may have been to blame for the mediocre showing.