Injuries keep piling up for the Bills as troubling update emerges on key stars from both sides of the ball
One Bills Drive has an injury problem, and all that’s to do is wait.
The Buffalo Bills are battling a nasty injury bug right now. While it’s only the preseason, the sheer number of guys being out is cause for concern. With the team gearing up for a joint practice against the Chicago Bears and then their second preseason matchup, it needs to find a way to get healthy. For the second-straight day, Bills superstar Dion Dawkins was unavailable to practice. With that, it’s been confirmed that the team will be without wide receiver Khalil Shakir for the remainder of the preseason.
Tuesday’s practice came and went with some positive updates on safeties Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp, but disaster struck toward the end of practice with Dawkins leaving the field with trainers and not returning. While the offensive tackle could be seen dancing and singing to reporters afterward, his lack of availability on Wednesday has the fanbase more than a little concerned. No official word from the team on Dawkins’ injury at the time of publication.
Here is the full list of players who were not participating in practice, as reported by Alaina Getzenberg from ESPN: Dion Dawkins, Tylan Grable, Sedrick Van Parn-Granger, Khalil Shakir, Jalen Virgil, Elijah Moore, Tyrell Shavers, Cam Lewis, Macwell Hairston, Justin Hollins, and Tyler Bass.
Brandon Beane discussed Khalil Shakir’s injury
Bills general manager Brandon Beane made an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, highlighting that Shakir should be ready for the regular season, but that the team would be without their receiver for the duration of the preseason.
On Shakir and his injury, Beane shared that “Shakir got his ankle (injured) in our scrimmage a couple of weeks ago. He’s going to be out for the rest of the preseason. But he’s progressing well. Hate not having him out there, but at least happy to know he should be ready to roll for the regular season.”
Not only that, some of these guys who are fighting for a roster spot are trying to take advantage of every opportunity imaginable to prove they have what it takes. Not getting on the field and missing these reps might open the door for some fringe roster guys to make a push for the 53-man roster.
Next man up type mentality
While Shavers has balled out in his first preseason game and during camp, staying healthy is going to be another contributing factor to the team’s decision. That’s not to say in any way that Shavers is missing this one practice means he’s off the roster, just allows some of the other guys like KJ Hamler, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Kristian Wilkerson more of a chance to shine.
The main name of the game while the season inches closer is getting back to full health. While there has been no official update on Dawkins, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow if he were to miss any time. Again, there’s been no official word from the team on any injury designation other than his leaving practice with trainers on Tuesday, and he didn’t participate on Wednesday.
Get the bubble wrap out, do whatever is needed to get back and healthy.
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