Buffalo Bills DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) will be listed as questionable for the Week 6 divisional showdown on Monday night against the New York Jets. Shakir was unable to practice on Thursday and Friday, so he's apparently going to return to the practice field on Saturday in order to give himself a shot at suiting up in primetime on Monday. The 24-year-old pass-catcher injured his ankle in the Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and sat out of the Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans. It's good news that he's made some progress, but he's firmly in danger of missing his second straight game and is an extremely volatile fantasy option this weekend with Buffalo's game being on Monday night. If Shakir misses another game, rookie Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel will be more involved in the passing game, as well as tight end Dalton Kincaid against a stout Jets defense.

Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl running back James Cook (toe) will practice on Saturday despite his toe injury and plans to play on Monday night against the division-rival New York Jets in Week 6, according to his agency LAA. Head coach Sean McDermott said that Cook will be listed as questionable on the final injury report. As long as the 25-year-old doesn't suffer a setback at practice on Saturday, it's looking like fantasy managers will be able to keep him in their starting lineups. Cook didn't practice on Thursday and Friday and was looking more likely to miss the Week 6 contest before this news. It's good news that he's expected to play, but fantasy managers should expect more bust potential from Cook this week, as both Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis could spell him more often, and the matchup against a tough Jets defense doesn't help matters.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (toe) remained a limited participant in Friday's practice. Samuel was limited during Thursday's initial session with a toe injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during Saturday's practice as it should provide clarity on his availability for Monday's game. However, seeing him participate in a limited capacity earlier in the week is a promising sign that he might be able to suit up. No.1 wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) and No.1 running back James Cook (toe) have not participated in a practice session this week which could open the door for Samuel to see more opportunities. If Samuel sees an increase in playing time due to the other injuries, he could be worth a look as a flex option in deeper formats on Monday evening.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper has struggled with drops and a lack of production for the majority of the 2024 season, going over 35 receiving yards just twice in five games. He will look to shake off his slow start in a road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Cooper did not practice on Wednesday but it was just a veteran rest day and was not injury related. The Eagles have been very generous to opposing wideouts this season, allowing the most fantasy points per game to the position through four games. It remains to be seen whether Cooper and a struggling Deshaun Watson will be able to capitalize on this plus matchup, however, as they disappointed last week against a Washington Commanders secondary that is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game. Cooper is on the radar as a WR3 in fantasy but he will be hard to trust as much more than that despite the excellent matchup.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) didn't suit up for Friday's practice, which is now the third straight day that he has sat out. Shakir is in danger of missing his second straight game, but still has a chance to practice on Saturday. Head coach Sean McDermott recently said that Shakir is day-to-day, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about it. If Shakir sits, Keon Coleman would move into the No. 1 wideout role. The rookie wideout finished with one reception on five targets for 49 yards and a touchdown last week without Shakir. He figures to once again have a bigger role if Shakir is unable to play.