Rookie Khalil Shakir impresses in regular season debut

Rookie WR Khalil Shakir recorded 2 catches for 23 yards and 2 first downs in the 23-20 win over Baltimore in Week 4

Bills wide receiver Jamison Crowder was carted off Sunday with an air cast on his left foot. Crowder, being the team’s starting punt returner, left an open spot for Shakir to return punts. And, later in the third quarter, wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie got hit hard over the middle by safety Chuck Clark. McKenzie jogged into the locker room after the hit and was evaluated for a head injury. McKenzie was ruled out the rest of the game due to a concussion. 

With the two injuries at the position it left only three healthy players at receiver, Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and fifth round draft pick Khalil Shakir from Boise State. 

Shakir went in after the injuries to Crowder and McKenzie, leading to his first NFL catch. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey called a play for Shakir as soon as he got out there, as the Bills ran a bubble screen to the left side, and Shakir was able to catch a quick pass and turn it up field for 14 yards after the catch. Shakir finished the game with two receptions for 23 yards and two first downs, including this clutch grab late in the fourth quarter:

In the post-game press conference, Shakir’s teammates showed him a lot of love. When Stefon Diggs was asked by a reporter about being down to three receivers by the end of the game and how challenging that is, Diggs said, “I have full confidence in Shakir.” Von Miller added, “That was his first catch as a pro right? I’m on the sideline like, you know defense watching the game, I’m on the sideline and he’s covering the ball up, he’s trying to get the first down, like that’s dope to see you know your young guys really taking advantage of the opportunity when the opportunity presents itself.”

Shakir turned his two targets on the day into two first downs. According to PFF, Shakir was the third-highest graded offensive player for the Bills on Sunday with a grade of 75.1 on just 16 snaps. He was the fourth-highest graded Bills player overall behind QB Josh Allen, TE Dawson Knox and DT Prince Emili.

Khalil Shakir will get plenty of opportunities to show what he’s all about on Sunday against the Steelers. He will likely have an elevated role being the main guy in the slot with both slot receivers injured.