NFL
Why isn’t Khalil Shakir playing for the Bills against the Texans? NFL Week 5 injury status
He sustained an injury after making a catch, making a streak of 28 straight targets caught since last year, surpassing Michael Thomas’ 2018 record of 27.
The Buffalo Bills will face the Houston Texans in a compelling Week 5 matchup, kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET. This game will be enormously interesting as both teams, with a 3-1 record, want to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the AFC.
Buffalo comes into this game as the slight favorite, favored by just one point, despite a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. With quarterback Josh Allen leading the charge, the Bills are looking to bounce back after a rough outing, even though they have been impressive this season. Allen’s playmaking ability, particularly in crucial moments, remains a vital factor for the Bills, who boast a high-scoring offense and a defense that tends to keep points off the board.
One of the biggest storylines heading into this game is the performance of Houston’s running game. If the Texans can establish the ground attack, it could open up passing opportunities for Stroud and keep Buffalo’s defense on its heels. Buffalo has shown vulnerability when overpowered up front, and Houston may look to exploit that. Despite the Bills’ offensive firepower, their ground game hasn’t been dominant, which could play into Houston’s favor, especially with the Texans’ solid front seven.
Who’s missed at the Bills camp?
The absence of Buffalo’s defensive stalwart, Von Miller, due to a four-game suspension is another factor that could swing Houston’s momentum. Miller has been effective in limited snaps, so his absence could give Stroud more time in the pocket and opportunities to make plays downfield.
The Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir is listed on this week’s injury report (out, ankle). After he set an NFL record with his first catch against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, The Bills also listed another receiver on the injury report this week: Quintin Morris (FP/shoulder). He was injured on his second catch. Shakir hauled an 8-yard pass over the middle, and Roquan Smith and David Ojabo brought him down in the first quarter. Shakir got to his feet but sat back down on the field. So far this year, Shakir has 18 grabs (on 19 targets) for a team-leading 230 yards and two scores, averaging 57.5 yards per game.
On the flip side, Buffalo’s star wide receiver Stefon Diggs will face one of his former teams for the second time this season. With ten catches for over 100 yards in his last outing, Diggs remains a pivotal weapon for Allen. Houston’s defense, known for keeping tight coverage, will have its hands full trying to limit Diggs’ impact on the game.