Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Khalil Shakir

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.

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.