Fans worry as Bills star “week-to-week” with ankle sprain issue
A high right ankle sprain suffered by wide receiver Khalil Shakir has him “week-to-week” for the Bills.
Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott announced on Sunday, August 3, 2025, that wide receiver Khalil Shakir is considered “week-to-week” after suffering a high right ankle sprain during the team’s annual training camp practice on Friday, August 1.
“[Shakir has] dealt with [a high ankle injury] before,” McDermott assured fans. “He’s extremely tough. Big part of our offense. So, it’s going to take some time. High ankles normally do. So, it’s an opportunity for, again, somebody else to show us what they’ve got, and we will see how that goes.” CBS Sports report that he could miss between 4 and 5 weeks.
Shakir, 25, signed a lucrative four-year extension in February worth around $53–60 million with over $32 million guaranteed, and was a key part of the roster as he led the Bills in 2024 with 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns, plus 18 catches for 174 yards in the playoffs. In the AFC Championship Game, the Buffalo Bills finally fell, losing out to Kansas City.
‘We’re down to a group and a half. It’s not conducive’
The Bills were without a host of top names, including offensive linemen Alec Anderson (left knee scope) and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (calf). Fullback Reggie Gilliam (groin), kicker Tyler Bass (pelvic area soreness), and linebackers Shaq Thompson (hamstring) and Dorian Williams (calf) were also missing.
On this crisis, McDermott admitted that changes have been made to practice in order to cope: “What we’ve tried to do is pull back on some things in the hopes of getting some numbers back,” he said.
“That hasn’t helped, so we’re moving forward. It’s time for us to go and we got to get some work done and move this team forward... We’re down to a group and a half. It’s not conducive. So we got to do what we need to do to move our team forward and get them ready to perform.”
The Bills get their preseason underway on Saturday, August 9, 2025 against the New York Giants. Their regular season kicks off on Sunday, September 7, 2025 against the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 PM ET.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.