Will Khalil Shakir Play in Week 1? Fantasy Football Outlook and Injury Update

Will Khalil Shakir play in Week 1? Will Khalil Shakir play for the Bills in 2025? Andersen breaks down the latest Khalil Shakir injury fantasy football outlook and injury update.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir has been one of Josh Allen's favorite targets in the past, but he's currently dealing with an ankle injury that has limited him throughout training camp and the preseason.

With Shakir less than 100 percent throughout the month of August, it's fair to have some concerns about his status for the start of the NFL season.

Will Shakir play in Week 1? What is Shakir's fantasy football outlook? Let's answer these questions.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
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Will Khalil Shakir Play In Week 1?

Shakir initially injured his ankle during the Bills' practice on August 1. He was examined by medical professionals and eventually diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain. At the time of his diagnosis, the Bills labeled Shakir as day-to-day.

Shakir missed all three of the Bills' preseason games. He could have been absent for several reasons, including his status as a veteran and his ankle injury.

Fortunately, as Shakir's recovery progressed, head coach Sean McDermott told the media that he expected the wide receiver to be available for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Bills coach Sean McDermott said that based on what he's being told is that WR Khalil Shakir (high ankle) should be back for the start of the regular season.

— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 7, 2025

Khalil Shakir 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

The Bills' passing attack has looked a little unconventional over the last few years. Rather than having a clear alpha receiver at his disposal, quarterback Josh Allen has been forced to spread the football around. Last season, Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Mack Hollins were among the top wide receivers in Buffalo. This year, Hollins is gone, and Josh Palmer has joined the mix.

Operating as the Bills' de facto No. 1 receiver last season, Shakir caught 76 passes for 821 yards and four touchdowns. All three of those statistics represented career-highs.

Coleman is likely headed for a larger role in his second pro season, and Palmer figures to get involved after the front office went out and signed him in free agency. However, there is still a clear role for Shakir in the slot, where he played 402 snaps last year (12th-most among NFL wide receivers).

Shakir also finished last year with 597 yards after catch (second-most), a 98.7 percent true catch rate (12th-most), and a 2.12 target separation score (seventh-most).

A dependable receiver with sure hands, Shakir already has the trust of Allen and the Bills' coaching staff. In turn, that trust will allow him to play more snaps, leading to increased target volume.

Shakir is slipping down the board in fantasy football drafts right now. He owns an ADP of 89.86, which ranks 44th among wide receivers and puts him below players such as Jauan Jennings, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Stefon Diggs.

RotoBaller's NFL experts have Shakir in a similar range, ranking him 45th among wide receivers.

While Shakir's role isn't as cut and dry as most teams' No. 1 receiver, he should still deliver major production. After all, fantasy managers are always trying to find talented players in high-powered offenses. Shakir offers just that with his reliable hands and anticipated high snap count, especially in the slot.

Khalil Shakir highlights to start your Tuesday off the RIGHT way pic.twitter.com/TJW8hcwXBL

— BillsMuse (@BillsMusee) August 26, 2025

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