After a promising preseason in 2023, the Buffalo Bills had high expectations for rookie wide receiver Justin Shorter. However, a hamstring injury ultimately ended the rookie’s season before it even got started.
It may now be difficult for Shorter to make the final roster for this season.
Shorter was not expected to be one of the six receivers the Bills kept on their final 53-man roster, according to Buffalo News reporter Jay Skurski. This was due to the team’s decision to add veterans in order to offset the loss of Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs this offseason. After putting on some strong preseason performances the previous year, Shorter sustained a hamstring injury and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Bills May Check Various Places for Depth at Recipient
According to Skurski, the top three wide receivers in the room are locked in: rookie Keon Coleman, third-year receiver Khalil Shakir, and veteran acquisition Curtis Samuel. Skurski stated that although Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a former receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, “falls just short” of being a lock, he will almost certainly make the final roster.
Skurski mentioned that veteran Chase Claypool has also shown promise in early practices, which might put pressure on Shorter. To secure a spot on the roster, he will need to defeat either K.J. Hamler or Andy Isabella, a swift practice squad receiver, according to Skurski.
He said, “Shorter missed the entire previous season on injured reserve. He is a fifth-round pick in 2023.” “Hammler or Isabella would have a better chance if the Bills wanted more depth at slot receiver.”
In addition, Skurski projected that Mack Hollins, an experienced player who joined the team in the offseason and has a proven track record on special teams, would take Shorter’s spot.
Shorter Justin Impressive Bills from the Previous Season
Shorter’s career at Florida fell short of the high expectations that surrounded him as a wide receiver prospect. In 2018, he was ranked as the top high school prospect. In his three seasons at Florida, Shorter caught 95 passes for 1,395 yards and eight touchdowns. The Bills selected him in the fifth round of the draft after he impressed them in pre-draft interviews the previous offseason.
In an interview with the Buffalo News, Bills general manager Brandon Beane stated that he thought Shorter could flourish under the team’s coaching staff and that his play on special teams could secure him a spot straight away.
“That’s how guys get that jersey on game day a lot of the time, and they have to know the defense or the offense because eventually they’re going to be in the game and Josh Allen has to throw to him,” Beane said. Thus, much is on him. We have faith in him. Evidently, he is a fairly attractive man. You find the build appealing, so we can work with him. .. We believe there are some positive aspects.
Shorter maintained his self-assurance, telling reporters that he’s prepared to make a strong return following the end of the previous season.
According to The Citizen, he stated, “I’m grateful for the opportunity, but I can’t wait to come back next year and grind.” “I think that simply being in the building and observing everyone around me has been really important to my growth. I’ve witnessed it all; it’s time to simply step on the gas and grasp it. Man, I’m so excited. I’ve been working out the entire time to demonstrate to others how much work I’ve done.
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