Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Khalil Shakir

Wednesday, September 3, 7:51 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant for the team's first official practice of the year on Wednesday. It's unclear if Kirk's absence to begin the week was more maintenance related or if his hamstring injury will put him in jeopardy of suiting up for Week 1 on Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams. We should have a better idea on his availability for the season opener later this week, but this certainly isn't what fantasy managers want to see heading into Week 1 after the 28-year-old played in only eight games in 2024 in his final season in Jacksonville due to a broken collarbone. If Kirk's injury is nothing serious and he's active on Sunday, he should be considered more of a WR4/flex play in fantasy out of the slot against a dangerous Rams defense. If he's unable to play, rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could immediately become interesting.

Wednesday, September 3, 5:09 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle), who suffered a high-ankle sprain in practice a month ago, was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday on the team's initial injury report, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Head coach Sean McDermott initially said that Shakir would be limited in the first practice of the week, so this is a pleasant surprise for those getting ready to start the 25-year-old in the Week 1 showdown on Sunday night versus the Baltimore Ravens. As long as he does not suffer a setback later this week, Shakir should be pretty close to 100 percent for the season opener as the starting slot receiver. Shakir had his best season in his third year in the NFL in 2024 with 76 catches, 821 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games (nine starts), but that might be his ceiling in a Bills offense that likes to spread the ball around.