The Facts: According to a league source, the Bills will host Shepard on a free-agent visit later in the week.

Diehards Line: Shepard was released Monday by Carolina after reportedly refusing to take a pay cut, according to The Charlotte Observer. Shepard appeared in 15 games for Carolina in 2017, making three starts and finishing with 17 catches for 202 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed twice for 19 yards. Shepard signed a three-year contract worth up to $10 million with Carolina last offseason, but became expendable when the team drafted Maryland's D.J. Moore in the first round last month. His release saved the team a little more than $2 million against the salary cap. A 6-foot-1, 195-pounder, Shepard spent the first four years of his career with Tampa Bay. He has 47 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns in 72 career games (nine starts).