Khalil Shakir News

Shakir was pretty far down the pecking order in a potent offense, but he did well as a fifth-round rookie just to be part of a veteran team's rotation. He even appeared in both playoff games and had 40-plus receiving yards in each. While the Bills will have some changes this offseason, most of the receiving room should remain intact and there could be added competition if veterans Cole Beasley and Jamison Crowder return. Still, Shakir may have more athletic talent than anyone in the team's passing game outside of Stefon Diggs, so his career arc merits watching.

Shakir's 42 percent offensive snap share was his largest since Week 12, as he and Cole Beasley (30 snaps) split the No. 3 receiver role in the postseason opener while Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring) was sidelined. Though Shakir and Beasley combined for a solid five catches for 86 yards and a touchdown across 10 targets, both players could seen downsized roles in Sunday's divisional-round matchup with the Bengals with McKenzie seemingly on track to return to the lineup. Jamison Crowder (ankle) also resumed practicing last week and could be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game, adding more potential competition to the Buffalo receiver room.

Shakir was sidelined for the first practice of Week 13 prep due to an illness, but he was a full participant during Tuesday's session and should be full go Thursday against New England. The rookie fifth-round pick has caught just one of four targets across his past five appearances.

Shakir saw his second highest snap share of the season in Buffalo's win at Detroit on Thanksgiving, but he'll now have to recover from an illness in order to suit up again in Week 13. The rookie fifth-rounder hasn't recorded a reception since Week 10, but he's returned a promising 7.9 yards per target through seven games this season.

Shakir will be absent for the start of the Bills' work week, as they prepare to play the Patriots on Thursday. The rookie receiver has seen his role increase as Jamison Crowder and Jake Kumerow continue to miss time due to ankle injuries. Most recently playing 45 percent of the team's offensive snaps on Thanksgiving, but he failed to see any targets, and he hasn't recorded a catch since Week 10 against the Vikings, then Week 6 against the Chiefs before that. He'll continue working to grab a larger target share Thursday against the New England, if he can recover in time to play.

Shakir has been serving as the No. 4 receiver due to injuries and had a much bigger 3-75-1 game the week prior (a game where he was actually the No. 3 wideout), but the rookie is also pretty far down the list when it comes to the Buffalo passing attack, even when he's getting playing time. Shakir has done well to go from fifth-rounder to contributor in such a short time, but using him in lineups at this stage would still be a big dart, and his already limited playing time may be suppressed when Jake Kumerow eventually returns from an ankle injury.