Multiple Bills Starters Dealing With Injuries Ahead Of Browns Joint Practice

Bills' Injury List Grows Ahead of Browns Joint Practice

Buffalo's injury report continued to expand this week as the Bills traveled to Cleveland for joint practices ahead of Saturday's preseason Week 2 matchup with the Browns. Khalil Shakir and Ed Oliver have emerged as the most significant names on an increasingly crowded list of banged-up starters.

Shakir and Oliver Sidelined

The team announced that Khalil Shakir was hurt during the team's practice on Tuesday, before they headed off to Cleveland for joint practices with the Browns.

The team had a day off to travel on Wednesday, but Shakir was not able to take the field as they began practicing in Cleveland, and he was still out when the Bills and Browns competed on Thursday.

Head coach Joe Brady addressed both situations before Thursday's joint session. Speaking to the media before his team squared off in joint practice against the Cleveland Browns, Brady provided health updates on Shakir and Ed Oliver, though he did not elaborate further on the severity of each ailment. It's a safe bet the veteran receiver and defensive tackle will not be taking part in Buffalo's joint practice in Berea, Ohio, or the club's second preseason game inside Huntington Bank Field on Saturday.

Brady has been tight-lipped on specifics across the board. "Those were injury-related," Brady said, adding, "In two weeks you guys are going to get the full (report): what the injuries are and whatnot... It's not me just trying to hide information or anything like that."

He noted there are "so many different variables" with ailments like a hamstring, groin, ankle or toe.

Growing Injury Report

The absences of Shakir and Oliver add to an already lengthy list. On Thursday, according to media in attendance, the Bills had defensive lineman Ed Oliver, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, wide receiver Keon Coleman, rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell, running back Ty Johnson, rookie safety Jalon Kilgore, center Connor McGovern, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson all sidelined.

The receiver room in particular has been hit hard. As for the current state of the Bills receiver group, Shakir, Keon Coleman and Skyler Bell are all nursing injuries, while D.J. Moore got dinged on a reception against the Panthers in the first preseason game. That opens the door for depth pieces. There's a big opportunity ahead for the likes of Josh Palmer and deep depth options Mecole Hardman, Stephen Gosnell, Ja'Mori Maclin, Mac Dalena, and Max Tomczak in the upcoming road preseason game.

Shakir had shown well in the preseason opener before his injury, catching both his targets for 41 yards, including a 21-yard connection with Josh Allen on the game's opening drive of Buffalo's 29-14 win over Carolina on Aug. 15.

With both Shakir and Oliver expected to sit out Saturday's game at Huntington Bank Field, Buffalo will lean on backups as the roster continues to take shape ahead of the regular season.