Nathan Shepherd was involved in a controversial play where he tackled Justin Herbert in a manner that was deemed dangerous, twisting Herbert's ankle awkwardly. This prompted Bradley Bozeman to retaliate by pinning Shepherd to the ground, which Bozeman described as one of the dirtiest plays he had seen. Despite the backlash, Saints coach Dennis Allen defended Shepherd, asserting that his actions were not malicious and that he was simply trying to bring the quarterback down.

Nathan Shepherd was involved in a controversial play during the game against the Chargers, where he was seen yanking on Justin Herbert's ankle. This action prompted a strong reaction from Bradley Bozeman, who dove onto Shepherd to protect his quarterback. Head coach Jim Harbaugh criticized Shepherd's actions, suggesting that they warranted more severe disciplinary measures from officials, especially considering Herbert's injury history. The incident has been described as one of the dirtiest plays witnessed, raising concerns about player safety and the need for accountability on the field.

Nathan Shepherd drew attention for a low hit on Justin Herbert, which appeared intentional and raised concerns about player safety. His actions prompted a strong response from Bradley Bozeman, who rushed to Herbert's defense, leading to a physical confrontation between the two players. Shepherd's decision to hold onto Herbert's leg and twist it awkwardly was seen as an attempt to injure, highlighting the aggressive nature of his play during the game.

Nathan Shepherd's contract with the Saints has been restructured, along with other players, to create short-term cap space for the team.

The Saints are restructuring Nathan Shepherd's contract to alleviate their 2024 salary cap issues, but this approach has left them in a precarious position with the 2025 salary cap.