Breaking; Bills Face Injury Scare as Top Returning WR Goes Down at Practice
Khalil Shakir, the Buffalo Bills’ leading returning pass-catcher, is anticipated to shoulder a greater burden; however, his initial day of mandatory minicamp concluded on an alarming note.
During the June 11 practice, an unspecified injury caused the third-year receiver to be taken off the field, as reported by WGR 550’s Sal Capaccio.
Capaccio reported on X that the Bills minicamp concluded for the day and WR Khalil Shakir departed early due to an apparent lower body injury. He conversed with trainers before hobbling off onto the fieldhouse, ultimately not returning thereafter.
Although the severity of the injury is uncertain at present, it could unsettle a Bills offense that will undergo significant changes by 2024.
Khalil Shakir’s status has not been updated by the Bills.
Shakir’s condition remained unreported by the Bills in the hours following his fall. Batavia Daily journalist Alex Brasky observed that Shakir suffered an injury after a rough landing during a passing exercise.
According to Brasky’s report on X, during the #Bills Tuesday mandatory minicamp team drills, Khalil Shakir appeared to have suffered an injury early on. He had gone up for a catch in 7-on-7 and landed heavily when he was unable to make it. The trainers assessed him before he departed from the practice field later.
On Tuesday, the Bills received some positive updates when linebacker Matt Milano returned to the field after enduring a leg fracture last season.
For the second consecutive season, drama has arisen at minicamp for the Bills regarding a prominent wide receiver. In the prior year, head coach Sean McDermott dismissed Diggs prematurely after an unknown exchange with coaching staff. This offseason saw Diggs traded to Houston Texans following disagreements that manifested as vague online postings implying dissatisfaction with his previous team.
The expanding responsibility of Khalil Shakir.
Shakir’s rookie year was fairly uneventful, but in 2023 he stepped up with an impressive 39 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns. With the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Shakir is now the team’s leading returning receiver.
In anticipation of the upcoming season, Joe Brady – the Bills’ offensive coordinator – expressed confidence in Shakir’s ability to continue expanding as a player. He specifically called attention to Shakir’s impressive instincts on the field.
According to Matt Bove of WKBW, Brady praised Khalil Shakir during OTAs, stating that he possesses the intelligence and skills needed in a top-level wide receiver. He commended Shakir’s ability to read zones as well as understanding man coverage while playing both inside and outside positions on the field.
Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, whom the Bills snagged as their top pick in the draft, is anticipated to bear a substantial load. Additionally, Buffalo’s roster boasts several experienced pass-catchers such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool and Mack Hollins.
After an impressive debut as a rookie, there are high hopes for tight end Dalton Kincaid to play an even more significant part in the offensive strategies following Diggs and Davis’ departure.
