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Patriots potential signee Amari Cooper

The Buffalo Bills left the door open for veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper to return to the team in free agency, and an injury to top pass-catcher Khalil Shakir could lead him to walk through it.

Shakir was hurt in the team’s Blue & Red practice on August 1, being helped off the field with a high ankle sprain. Though head coach Sean McDermott said he expects Shakir to be on the field for the season opener, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the Bills could bring back Cooper as an insurance policy.

Amari Cooper’s Return ‘Makes Sense’

Knox suggested that Cooper could be a target for the San Francisco 49ers, with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk expected to miss the start of the season while rehabbing a knee injury. Knox also pegged the Bills as a top landing spot for Cooper, the top receiver still on the open market.

“While Cooper didn’t have impressive numbers with the Buffalo Bills or Cleveland Browns in 2024 (547 yards, 4 TDs), he had bad QB play in Cleveland and was learning a new offense in Buffalo,” Knox wrote. “He’s the most prolific receiver still available now that Keenan Allen has rejoined the Los Angeles Chargers.

“A return to Buffalo could also make sense, as the Bills are dealing with the absence of Khalil Shakir (high-ankle sprain).”

The Bills added Cooper ahead of last season’s trade deadline but he had an uneven impact, making some big plays and going without targets at other times. Cooper does have a long track record of success in the NFL, making 711 receptions for 10,033 yards with 64 touchdowns.

Knox suggested the Bills could look at another familiar face if they want to add depth. Their longtime No. 2 receiver, Gabe Davis, remains a free agent after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this offseason.

“High-ankle sprains can linger, though, and given Shakir’s value to the offense—he caught 76 passes for 821 yards and four touchdowns last season—the Bills could afford to add some receiver insurance,” Knox wrote. “Gabe Davis, who spent his first four seasons in Buffalo before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, would be a logical candidate.

“Davis failed to impress in Jacksonville, but he had 746 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games with the Bills in 2023.”

Bills Have Good Outlook on Khalil Shakir

Though Shakir is expected to be on the field when the Bills host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football to open the season, he was seen in a walking boot and may not be back to full strength by then.

McDermott noted that Shakir has dealt with ankle injuries before and already has a strong connection with quarterback Josh Allen, easing some fears about his return from the current injury.

“The thing that makes me a little bit at ease with that situation is his rapport with Josh,” McDermott said. “Khalil is such a professional that I don’t worry at all about his hunger to return or his ability to find ways to get back, and up to speed, as quickly as possible.”