Bills fans just got a tough update from head coach Joe Brady: both WR Khalil Shakir and DT Ed Oliver are dealing with injuries right now. Coach Brady broke the news to the media before the team squares off in joint practice against the Cleveland Browns, and honestly, it’s not the preseason vibe anyone was hoping for. These aren’t just minor bumps, either. Both Shakir and Oliver were total no-shows at Tuesday’s stadium practice, which tells you everything you need to know about how serious this could be. We’re only in the preseason, but every snap counts, and losing key guys even for a bit can mess with the whole team’s rhythm.
Two Big Names On The Sidelines Early
It’s a real gut punch to see Shakir and Oliver sidelined this early. Coach Brady kept it pretty tight-lipped, not getting into all the nitty-gritty details on the severity of each injury. But come on, it’s a super safe bet we won’t see either the veteran receiver or the powerhouse defensive tackle out there today for the joint practice in Berea, Ohio. And let’s be real, you can probably forget about them playing in the second preseason game this Saturday afternoon inside Huntington Bank Field. And they absolutely shouldn’t! It’s just preseason, not the Super Bowl. No need to risk further injury. The sensible move is to hold them out and let them heal up. Still, it stings. You want your best players getting those reps and building momentum, not watching from the sidelines as August rolls on.
The Receiver Room Is Looking Thin. What Now?
This Shakir injury just piles on the bad news for the Bills’ receiver group, which is genuinely starting to look like a MASH unit. Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Skyler Bell are all nursing injuries at the same time. Remember how D.J. Moore got dinged up on a reception against the Panthers in that first preseason game too? It’s a concerning trend, and it absolutely isn’t ideal when you’re trying to establish that crucial offensive chemistry before the regular season kicks off. But hey, every challenge brings an opportunity, right? This opens up a massive chance for some other guys to step up and prove their worth. We’re talking about players like Josh Palmer, and deeper depth options such as Mecole Hardman, Stephen Gosnell, Ja’Mori Maclin, and Dante Pettis. These guys are going to get a ton of looks in this upcoming road preseason game and probably in that last exhibition outing next Thursday as well. They better be ready to make some noise and show what they’ve got, because the depth chart is suddenly wide open for playmakers.
The next road preseason game is massive for these guys fighting to earn a spot on the roster. We’ll be watching closely to see who makes the most of this unexpected chance, especially with that last exhibition game coming up next Thursday. This team needs some players to truly shine and prove they can be reliable targets when it really matters, and sooner rather than later.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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