Bills could add Khalil Shakir to long list of minicamp injuries

The Buffalo Bills have been battered enough entering mandatory minicamp, and after day one they may have to put one of their key wide receivers on the shelf. Initially, seven players were unavailable due to injury and three additional players participated on a limited basis.

Then, third-year pro Khalil Shakir reportedly left the practice court early and did not return after suffering an apparent lower-body injury on Tuesday. According to Sal Capaccio of WGRShakir “chatted with the coaches for a while, then limped off the field and entered the field.”

Batavia Daily News journalist Alex Brasky said the injury occurred during team drills when Shakir “went up to catch a 7-on-7 and went down violently when the pass fell incomplete.” Actual contact is prohibited by the collective bargaining agreement, so it is reasonable to assume that the injury was not the result of a blow.

Injury reports are not released this time of year, so this will indicate whether Shakir is back on the field for Wednesday’s training. Even though the injury is minor, the Bills could act conservatively and rule him out for the rest of the three-day camp.

Shakir, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft, emerged as a viable weapon last season. He caught 39 of 45 targets while averaging 15.7 yards per reception in 17 regular season appearances. The former Boise State star had touchdowns in both of Buffalo’s playoff games.

Shakir, 24, who is the only receiver on the roster to catch a pass from Josh Allen in an NFL game, is in line for a significant role this season after playing 52% of the offensive snaps in 2023.