Four Wide Receivers Poised to Shine for the Bills After Coleman Injury
The Buffalo Bills have found themselves in an unfortunate situation regarding their rookie wide receiver, Keon Coleman. The young talent, who had been a bright spot in the team’s offense this season, is dealing with a wrist injury that has left his status uncertain for the upcoming weeks. As Coach Sean McDermott mentioned, the team is unsure how long Coleman will be sidelined, but it’s clear that his absence will have an impact on the offense. With Coleman out of the lineup, the Bills will need to make adjustments, and it’s possible that other wide receivers on the roster or practice squad could be called upon to step up and fill the void.
Coleman’s injury occurred during the team’s Week 9 victory over the Miami Dolphins. In what turned out to be a game-winning drive for the Bills, quarterback Josh Allen targeted Coleman on a deep pass. As Coleman attempted to catch the ball, he was hit by Miami safety Jordan Poyer, whose helmet collided with Coleman’s hands and facemask. The impact caused enough of an issue for Coleman that he was later seen wearing a brace on his wrist. While the Bills haven’t released details on the severity of the injury, it’s clear that Coleman’s availability for the coming weeks is in doubt.
Through the first half of the 2024 season, Coleman had established himself as one of the key contributors in the Bills’ passing game. He has tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions and ranks second in receiving yards with 417. His 387 offensive snaps also lead the wide receiver group, underscoring his importance to the team. With his strong start to the season, Coleman has shown the ability to create big plays, especially with his deep-ball prowess. Losing him for any extended period would be a significant blow to the Bills’ offense, but it also opens the door for other players to step up and potentially make an impact.
As of now, the Bills have five wide receivers on their active roster, and there are four wide receivers on the practice squad. The question now becomes: who will be called upon to fill the void left by Coleman’s absence, and who could be the player to make their first catch with the team in the wake of the injury? Here are four potential candidates from both the active roster and the practice squad who could step up in Coleman’s absence.
1. Mack Hollins
Mack Hollins, who was acquired by the Bills during the offseason, could see an expanded role in Coleman’s absence. Hollins has been a solid contributor for Buffalo this year, with 12 receptions for 111 yards and three touchdowns, despite being relatively low in the pecking order for targets. What makes Hollins an interesting option is his ability to be a versatile receiver. While he may not have the same explosive playmaking ability as Coleman, Hollins has shown that he can be an effective target in the red zone, having already matched Coleman’s three touchdowns on the season. His physicality and willingness to block also make him a valuable asset in the run game.
Hollins’ experience in the league (having played for both the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders) gives him a level of maturity and understanding of how to step up when called upon. His ability to make plays on both short and intermediate routes makes him a reliable option for Josh Allen, especially in situations where the offense needs to sustain drives or convert in critical situations. While it’s unlikely that Hollins will take on the same role as Coleman in terms of deep threat potential, he could still be a key contributor over the next few weeks. Hollins’ ability to secure the ball in the red zone makes him a prime candidate to make his mark during Coleman’s absence.
2. Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir has had an impressive season thus far, becoming a consistent playmaker for the Bills over the past few weeks. After missing some time with an ankle injury earlier in the season, Shakir has returned to form and been a reliable target for Josh Allen. He leads the team in receptions (42) and receiving yards (471) and has been particularly effective in gaining yards after the catch. In fact, Shakir is currently the best in the NFL with 358 yards after catch. This is a crucial asset for the Bills as they look to replace the downfield explosiveness that Coleman brought to the table.
Shakir has proven himself to be a dynamic playmaker, capable of taking short passes and turning them into big gains. His quickness and ability to create separation from defenders make him a dangerous weapon in Buffalo’s offense. With his familiarity with the playbook and chemistry with Allen, Shakir is poised to take on a larger role in Coleman’s absence. He could also be used in a variety of ways, whether that’s running routes out of the slot, on the outside, or even as a gadget player who gets the ball in space. Shakir’s ability to create after the catch makes him a valuable asset to Buffalo’s offensive game plan going forward.
3. Jalen Virgil
Jalen Virgil is another intriguing option for the Bills, particularly because he has already been elevated from the practice squad multiple times this season. Virgil has had a somewhat limited role on offense, with just two games played and no receptions yet this year. However, he has shown flashes of big-play ability in the past. In 2022, during his rookie year with the Denver Broncos, Virgil made an immediate impact, catching a 66-yard touchdown on his first career reception. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his 2023 season, but Virgil was signed to the Bills’ practice squad in August 2023 and has been a key contributor there ever since.
Given his past success and his ability to make big plays when given the opportunity, Virgil could be a player who steps up in a meaningful way if he is elevated again for the Bills. While he has yet to establish himself as a consistent presence on the roster, his speed and ability to stretch the field could make him an appealing option in the absence of Coleman. Virgil has the potential to add depth to the Bills’ receiving corps, especially as a deep threat who can stretch the defense and open up opportunities for other players like Shakir or Hollins. His ability to contribute on special teams also makes him a valuable addition if he gets a shot at a more prominent role in the coming weeks.
4. Tyrell Shavers
Tyrell Shavers is another wide receiver on the Bills’ practice squad who could get an opportunity to make his first catch with the team in the wake of Coleman’s injury. Shavers, a 6-foot-4, 211-pound wide receiver, has a unique combination of size and speed that could be used to his advantage. While he did not make the 53-man roster out of training camp, he has been a consistent presence on the practice squad and was given an opportunity to play in Week 5, where he logged 16 offensive snaps. However, Shavers did not record any receptions in that game.
Shavers is still a raw talent with plenty of upside, and the Bills may look to give him more opportunities as they try to replace the production lost with Coleman out. His size makes him a potential red-zone target, and he could be a useful weapon on jump balls or fade routes near the end zone. If Shavers gets elevated to the active roster again, it will be interesting to see if the Bills decide to use him as a situational or depth piece in their passing attack.
Other Options
The Bills also have other potential options if they choose to look outside the organization or elevate other players from their practice squad. The team has a number of free-agent wide receivers available, including names like Chase Claypool, Michael Thomas, and Corey Davis, all of whom have significant NFL experience. While it seems unlikely the Bills will make an immediate move to acquire any of these players, it’s not outside the realm of possibility if the team believes it needs a more established player to fill Coleman’s spot.
As the Bills look to fill the void left by Keon Coleman’s injury, the opportunity is there for one of these wide receivers—whether from the active roster or practice squad—to step up and make their mark. Given the team’s offensive struggles and the need to find a more consistent passing attack, whoever fills Coleman’s shoes will have an important role to play in keeping the Bills competitive in the AFC playoff race. Time will tell who ultimately takes the reins, but with the depth on the roster and the practice squad, the Bills have several intriguing options to consider moving forward.
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