Multiple Key Bills Players Out Of Practice On August 24 Including WRs Khalil

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Bills Sidelined by Injuries Ahead of Preseason Finale vs. Steelers

The Buffalo Bills' injury list grew heading into the final week of the preseason, with several key contributors held out of Monday's practice as the team prepares for Thursday's exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Receiver Corps Hit Hardest

Wide receivers Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman remain the most notable absences. Coleman was still wearing a walking boot after being one of 28 players who didn't play in Saturday's 31-7 preseason victory over Cleveland.

Coleman did not participate in Thursday's joint practice with Cleveland, and Shakir also missed the joint practice and did not play against the Browns.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that Coleman is dealing with a foot/toe injury, while Bills coach Joe Brady confirmed Shakir's absence was injury-related but did not provide specifics.

Despite the absence, there is some optimism regarding Coleman's long-term outlook. Brady indicated after the preseason opener that there wasn't concern about Coleman, though the receiver did catch three passes for 17 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown, in that opening win over Carolina before the injury setback.

McGovern, Gardner-Johnson Also Sidelined

Starting center Connor McGovern has yet to appear in a preseason game. McGovern hasn't played this preseason after suffering a lower-body injury during the Return of the Blue & Red practice, grabbing the back of his right leg while trying to chase down cornerback Christian Benford following an interception before walking off the field with trainers.

McGovern was on the field before Saturday's game working with athletic trainers but did not play.

Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson continues to work his way back as well. Gardner-Johnson has yet to play this preseason after being carted off the practice field on Aug. 1, returning to practice five days later, then leaving practice early on Aug. 10 and remaining sidelined from preseason games since.

Additional absences from Monday's session reportedly included defensive tackle Ed Oliver, linebacker Terrel Bernard, offensive lineman Jude Bowry, and others as the roster continued to manage a lengthy list of bumps and bruises entering cutdown week.

Looking Ahead

Cornerback Maxwell Hairston also remains banged up. Hairston missed his second consecutive preseason game with a lower-body injury after initially sitting out the final training camp practice at St. John Fisher University on Aug. 7.

With Buffalo set to close out the preseason Thursday at 7 p.m. against Pittsburgh, the coaching staff faces a short window to evaluate health status before final roster cuts. The Bills enter the matchup 2-0 in exhibition play, having beaten Carolina 29-14 and Cleveland 31-7, but the accumulation of injuries among core starters adds uncertainty as the regular-season opener approaches.