Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Khalil Shakir

Tuesday, September 16, 3:24 PM

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Tuesday that wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring) is expected to return in Week 3 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars after he missed the first two games of the year with a hamstring injury. Houston will welcome Kirk back with open arms after opening the season 0-2. While Kirk should operate as the starter out of the slot, he'll be a pretty shaky flex play in fantasy in his Texans debut this Sunday, especially since quarterback C.J. Stroud has been under pressure on 39% of his dropbacks through two weeks -- seventh-most among starting QBs. The return of Kirk should only help Houston's offense, though, and take some attention off All-Pro wideout Nico Collins. Rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel will have an even harder time standing out with Kirk back in the fold.

Monday, September 15, 3:09 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir was a fantasy non-factor in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, hauling in one of two targets for 12 yards. It was the first time that Shakir received fewer than six targets since Week 5 of last season, ending a 14-game streak (including playoffs). It should be noted that the Bills leaned more on their rushing attack than the pass in an easy victory, so nobody other than running back James Cook put up gaudy numbers. Shakir seldom posts huge production anyway, though he is consistently solid and should see an uptick in targets on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins. Shakir combined for 11 catches on 12 targets last season in two meetings with the Dolphins, whose pass defense has been woeful during an 0-2 start this year.