McKenzie will face competition for the starting slot receiver role from 2023 third-round draft pick Josh Downs, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne called Downs the best receiver in the 2023 draft class, so that may be an indication he has a head start on the race. The Colts signed McKenzie for just $1.23 million, so it's not a lock he makes the roster. However, the Colts may want to begin the season with a veteran in the slot if Downs' progress in training camp is slow.
May 2, 2023 10:51 AM EST
McKenzie (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff opener against the Dolphins after not practicing Thursday or Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
Analysis: It's possible that a decision on McKenzie's status for the Bills' wild-card round contest could come down to a game-time decision ahead of the team's 1:00 ET kickoff Sunday. In the event that McKenzie is limited or unavailable for the contest, Khalil Shakir and Cole Beasley would be candidates to log added snaps versus Miami behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Jan 13, 2023 11:08 AM EST
McKenzie (hamstring) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McKenzie was listed as limited at Wednesday's practice, so what he's able to do Friday will be a key indicator regarding his availability for Sunday's playoff opener against the Dolphins. If McKenzie is limited or out this weekend, added snaps would be available for Khalil Shakir and Cole Beasley, while the Bills could also choose to add WR depth via the team's practice squad.
Jan 12, 2023 10:24 AM EST
McKenzie (hamstring) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It's unclear if the hamstring issue is something McKenzie picked up during Week 18 action or is the result of an in-practice injury. Either way, the wideout's status is now worth tracking ahead of the Bills' wild-card game against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Jan 11, 2023 12:36 PM EST
McKenzie caught two of three targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 35-23 win over the Patriots.
Analysis: McKenzie continued to operate as the Bills' No. 3 receiver Sunday, playing 33 of Buffalo's 59 offensive snaps. Unfortunately, the veteran was unable make a significant impact in the contest. McKenzie's recent stretch of underwhelming performances make him difficult to trust for fantasy purposes. With that said, the 27-year-old will look to bounce back in the wild card round of the playoffs when the Bills host the Dolphins.
Jan 11, 2023 3:09 AM EST
McKenzie caught three of five targets for 21 yards while rushing once for seven yards in Sunday's win over the Jets.
Analysis: McKenzie is an exciting player and has the speed to serve as a spark plug for the Buffalo offense, but he's far from consistent in the fantasy world. Sunday was the seventh time this season he's gone for 21 or less receiving yards, and his 38-380-4 lines in 12 games played is pretty modest. Also, with the Bills signing Cole Beasley on Tuesday, McKenzie may soon have some competition, plus Jamison Crowder has plan on returning this season as well.
Dec 13, 2022 10:09 PM EST
McKenzie brought in all five targets for 44 yards in the Bills' 24-10 win over the Patriots on Thursday night.
Analysis: McKenzie checked in third in receptions and second in receiving yards on the night for the Bills, putting together a solid follow-up performance to his 6-96-1 line against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day. The versatile sixth-year pro has at least four catches in three of his past four games, giving him some momentum heading into a critical Week 14 divisional home clash against the Jets a week from Sunday.
Dec 1, 2022 9:17 PM EST
McKenzie caught six of 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 28-25 win over the Lions.
Analysis: The slot receiver led the Bills in receiving yards in the Thanksgiving day victory, opening the scoring for his club with a 19-yard TD grab late in the first quarter. The 96 yards and 10 targets were season highs for McKenzie, while the touchdown was his first since Week 4 and his fourth of the year. He'll look to make an impact again in an AFC East battle against the Patriots in Week 13.
Nov 24, 2022 3:31 PM EST
McKenzie failed to haul in his only target in Sunday's Week 11 win over the Browns in Detroit.
Analysis: McKenzie played 37 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps in the contest, his fewest of the campaign. This was his first game in 2022 during which he's failed to record at least one catch, and he also didn't receive a carry for the first time since Week 6. Meanwhile, Khalil Shakir saw a slight uptick by playing 26 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he also didn't record a catch (and didn't even see a target). For the time being, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are the only Bills wide receivers who can be confidently started in most fantasy formats.
Nov 22, 2022 4:24 PM EST
McKenzie (illness) was a full participant on Friday's practice estimate and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.
Analysis: The Bills weren't able to hold practice due to heavy snow in Buffalo, but McKenzie would have been available had they practiced. Assuming the team is able to fly to Detroit to play Sunday's relocated game at Ford Field as planned, McKenzie's poised to take the field without limitations in his usual slot role.
Nov 18, 2022 11:20 AM EST
McKenzie (illness) didn't practice Thursday.
Analysis: McKenzie practiced fully Wednesday, but the wideout's absence from practice Thursday makes his status worth monitoring in advance of Sunday's game against the Browns. If McKenzie is unable to play this weekend, Khalil Shakir would figure to see an uptick in snaps in Week 11, while working behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Nov 17, 2022 12:51 PM EST
McKenzie ran twice for two yards, including a seven-yard TD run, in Sunday's win over the Packers. He caught his only target for eight yards.
Analysis: The touchdown obviously saved his line for those that started McKenzie . He remains fourth or fifth in the pecking order, as tight end Dawson Knox and McKenzie are involved in a modest set of play calls while the bulk of the offense runs through Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Devin Singletary, plus any designed runs for quarterback Josh Allen. McKenzie has already scored four times this campaign, so he's not the worst option in the world if you're fighting the bye week blues, but he'll likely be a hit-or-miss fantasy option for most of the season.
Oct 31, 2022 10:36 PM EST
McKenzie caught two of five targets for nine yards in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Chiefs.
Analysis: After missing Week 5 due to a concussion, McKenzie operated as the Bills' No. 3 wideout behind fellow receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in his return to the field. The 27-year-old returned to his role as the team's primary slot receiver, playing 51 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Rookie receiver Khalil Shakir also saw some work in the slot after an impressive performance in Week 5, playing 21 percent of snaps in Week 6. Heading into a Week 7 bye, McKenzie has scored three touchdowns in five games played. With that said, he has the potential to disappear in certain matchups in an offense flush with playmakers. The veteran will look to get back on track in Week 8 when the Bills host the Packers.
Oct 18, 2022 11:18 PM EST
McKenzie has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will practice fully Wednesday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
Analysis: McKenzie was inactive for the Bills' Week 5 win over the Steelers, but he's in line to return to action Sunday against the Chiefs. Upon his return the action, McKenzie should reclaim a share of the team's slot work alongside Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, with rookie Khalil Shakir a candidate to mix in after catching three of his five targets for 75 yards and a TD while logging 39 snaps versus Pittsburgh.
Oct 12, 2022 9:23 AM EST
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that McKenzie is still in concussion protocol, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McKenzie logged back-to-back limited sessions ahead of Week 5 but was ultimately inactive for the team's win over the Steelers. He's expected to return to full practices ahead of Week 6 after shedding his non-contact jersey during Friday's practice, but his status for Sunday's matchup against Kansas City remains unclear.
Oct 10, 2022 1:51 PM EST
McKenzie (concussion) is inactive Week 5 against the Steelers.
Analysis: While McKenzie did shed his red non-contact jersey Friday in what was his second consecutive limited practice session, it appears the receiver has yet to be cleared by the league's official concussion protocol. That leaves Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis to work as the primary receivers in Buffalo, with rookie Khalil Shakir potentially in line to serve as the No. 3.
Oct 9, 2022 8:32 AM EST
McKenzie (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com, McKenzie was able to shed his red (non-contact) jersey Friday, but the Bills' slot man remains in the NFL's concussion protocol at this stage. If McKenzie is unable to gain full clearance ahead of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff, Khalil Shakir would be in line for added snaps behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, given that both Jamison Crowder (ankle) and Jake Kumerow (ankle) have been ruled out this week.
Oct 7, 2022 11:51 AM EST
McKenzie, who logged a limited practice session Thursday, remains in concussion protocol, per coach Sean McDermott, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.
Analysis: McDermott noted that McKenzie is in a day-by-day process ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers, though Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com relays that the Bills' slot man shed his red (non-contact) jersey at Friday's practice. While that's encouraging, the team's upcoming injury report will add further context with regard to McKenzie's Week 5 status. If he's out or limited this weekend, Khalil Shakir would be in line for added snaps behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Oct 7, 2022 9:02 AM EST
McKenzie (concussion) was officially listed as a limited practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: That's a step in the right direction for McKenzie, who didn't practice Wednesday, but the Bills' slot receiver remains in the NFL's concussion protocol as of Thursday, per Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo. Friday's injury report will clarify whether McKenzie approaches Sunday's game against the Steelers with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 5 action. With Jamison Crowder sidelined by an ankle injury, Khalil Shakir would be in line for added snaps this weekend if McKenzie is out or limited.
Oct 6, 2022 12:21 PM EST
McKenzie (concussion) participated in Thursday's practice in a red (non-contact) jersey, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McKenzie was listed as a non-participant Wednesday, but his presence on the field Thursday gives him a chance to suit up Sunday against the Steelers. To do so, however, McKenzie will need to progress fully through the NFL's concussion protocols and given that he sported a non-contact jersey in his return to practice, it's safe to assume he has yet to do so at this stage.
Oct 6, 2022 10:20 AM EST
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