Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) missed practice on Thursday for a second consecutive day, which is bad news for his potential availability against the Houston Texans. Shakir suffered an ankle injury in the Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and while it didn't seem like a major ailment at the time, it could hold him out of Week 5. Fantasy managers with Shakir should see what his practice status and official game status are on Friday before making any final decisions, but it's time to look for a backup plan. If Shakir cannot suit up, tight end Dalton Kincaid should act as Josh Allen's No. 1 target. Wideouts Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, and Curtis Samuel would become fringe flex plays in that case, but none are sure things this week despite a favorable matchup against the Texans' secondary.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. The 24-year-old did not show any signs of a previous injury during their Week 4 match against the Baltimore Ravens. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the injury report throughout the week. Shakir has operated as the No.1 option for Josh Allen in the Buffalo passing attack, as he has averaged 4.5 receptions with 57.5 yards per game. He caught a season-high six passes with 72 yards and a score in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Shakir were to miss Sunday's game, tight end Dalton Kincaid and wideouts Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Mack Hollins could see an increase in targets.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (back) was sore after the team's Week 4 game against Baltimore but should be fine for Week 5 against Houston, according to head coach Sean McDermott. It looks like Allen avoided a serious injury and is on track to face Houston in Week 5, but it will be worth monitoring the injury report this week. Allen is the QB4 on the season, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game. Allen was 16 of 29 for 180 yards and no touchdown passes against Baltimore in his toughest outing of the season. He will try to bounce back against the Texans this week.

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady emphasized, "Curtis Samuel has to play more. I need to find ways to get the ball in his hands because good things happen." Despite this, Samuel has struggled through four games, failing to record more than three catches in a single game and not exceeding 22 receiving yards. He's averaging just 12 yards per game, which is concerning for a player who signed a three-year, $24 million deal as a free agent. Additionally, Samuel ranks last among Bills receivers with only 68 snaps. During his time with Brady in Carolina, Samuel had his best professional season, totaling 851 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 200 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. However, that productive version of Samuel has yet to appear in Buffalo, making him look like a disappointment early on. As the Bills approach Week 5, Samuel must receive more targets and be more involved to help the offense advance. Until he shows greater involvement, he's not a recommended fantasy option heading into the matchup against the Texans.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) is day-to-day after tweaking his ankle in the blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night in Week 4. Shakir had his ankle examined on Sunday night but went back in the game, and he came out of that contest with ankle soreness heading into a Week 5 tilt this weekend against the Houston Texans on the road. It doesn't sound like the 24-year-old's injury is very serious, but we'll keep an eye on his practice statuses later this week. Shakir is blossoming into quarterback Josh Allen's go-to target in the passing game in 2024, so losing him for any amount of time would be a big blow to this offense. Shakir checks in as the WR18 in half-PPR scoring through the first four weeks with 18 catches on 19 targets for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel would see increased roles if Shakir is out or limited at all in Week 5.