Fantasy football managers are keeping a close eye on Khalil Shakir’s status ahead of Week 1. The Buffalo Bills wideout is nursing an injury that has clouded his availability, leaving uncertainty for lineups. Should you draft or start him? Here’s the latest update on his injury and fantasy football outlook.
What Is Khalil Shakir’s Injury?
Shakir is sidelined with a high ankle sprain, causing him to miss multiple practices and the entire preseason. He is tentatively expected to be ready for Week 1, but it is not a guarantee. Joshua Palmer is poised to be the primary X receiver, with Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore possibly seeing more snaps if Shakir can’t go.
The fourth-year wideout, who emerged as a reliable target for Josh Allen last season, now faces uncertainty about his availability for Week 1.
High ankle sprains are tricky injuries that can linger and affect a player’s cutting ability and overall performance even after their return. While the Bills remain cautiously optimistic about his recovery timeline, fantasy managers are left wondering whether to take the risk.
Shakir’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Shakir was a minor part of the Bills’ offenses during the first two seasons of his career, catching just 49 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns while operating behind Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis in the passing attack. Diggs and Davis were no longer with the team in 2024, allowing Shakir to expand his role. He made the most of it.
The third-year receiver led Buffalo in targets (100), receptions (76), and receiving yards (821) in 2024 while finishing tied for second in touchdowns (four). More importantly, Shakir established that he could earn targets out of the slot (28.3% target rate, WR12) and make plays with the ball in his hands (597 yards after catch, WR2).
He ultimately finished as the WR33 in PPR points per game (12.2), thanks to an offense that distributed targets evenly to many weapons.
HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY KING KHALIL SHAKIR!
His stats this season:
– 76 Receptions
– 821 Yards
– 4 TouchdownsHands of glue 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/w0N30K0knE
— BillsMuse (@BillsMusee) February 3, 2025
Buffalo refrained from making major additions to the passing attack this offseason, adding other role players like Palmer and Moore. That gives Shakir a chance to replicate his strong 2024 performance as long as he can continue to hold off second-year receiver Keon Coleman in the passing attack. Unfortunately, a training camp high ankle sprain will impact him early in the season, costing him valuable reps with a new supporting cast.
Given how the Bills’ offense is designed to control games with the run and spread the game out in the passing attack, it is hard to rank Shakir higher than WR30 in fantasy. He will have a role (with spike weeks), but there isn’t enough volume to consistently push him higher.
