Skyler Bell plays extensively vs. Steelers on Thu.

Bell disclosed to Buscaglia on Thursday that he suffered the injury during the team’s first practice at Highmark Stadium on August 8th. Bell hasn’t been on the practice field since then, but on Thursday he was seen running drills with the training staff after practice and hopes to play in the Bills’ final preseason game against the Steelers on August 27th. Bell hasn’t had as strong a camp as some had hoped for after the Bills drafted him in the fourth round in this year’s draft. The rookie already wasn’t expected to make an immediate impact this season, but this extended time away could further delay him getting on the field in a meaningful way. Bell can be left off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues for the time being.

This could change at any moment, but according to Buscaglia, the Bills’ top four receivers are “clearly” DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. Buscaglia notes that Bell’s separation skills and releases from the line of scrimmage have been good, but that the rookie’s “ball skills have held him back” thus far. The Bills used the 125th overall pick in the draft to select Bell in April. Once thought of as a deep sleeper for the 2026 fantasy season, it sounds like he has some work to do before he can get on the field and make an impact on Sundays.

Bell likely profiles as a potential deep sleeper in 2026, but he would have some real fantasy value if he found a real role in Buffalo’s offense. Keon Coleman hasn’t exactly endeared himself to anyone and Joshua Palmer had a lackluster first season with the Bills. With Tyrell Shavers also likely out early after tearing an ACL in the playoffs, Bell should be on the radar in the late second or early third round of rookie drafts.

Taken by Buffalo with the 125th pick in the 2026 draft, Bell — a hyper-productive wideout at UConn — joins DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, and Keon Coleman in an underwhelming receivers room. Bell, Helman said, enters the NFL with a multifaceted skill set that is highly valued among most NFL front offices. “This is probably the most reckless thing I’ll say on this show,” Helman said. “This is Ja’Marr Chase lite. He’s a freak athlete, he’s explosive, but he’s very powerful and strong. And watching him, I was just like, obviously, he’s not Ja’Marr Chase ... but he does all that type of stuff. He can take it to the house. He can just body people out of the way. He can high point the ball. If I was trying to get Ja’Marr Chase’s skillset on late day two or even into day three, I’m all the way in on this guy.” Helman wasn’t alone in his praise of Bell, who last season was second among all college wideouts in yards per route run. Ryan Fowler of NBC Sports Philadelphia said in March that Bell, 23, was close to a Round One prospect. The Bills took him late on the third day of the draft.

Bell (6’/192) originally committed to Wisconsin, where he redshirted in his first year and turned a starting role into 440 receiving yards plus 260 rushing yards in the following season. The Badgers scaled his role back in 2023, which limited him to a measly 296 yards. Without much to do in Wisconsin, Bell transferred to UConn. Now back in a full-time role, he immediately popped for a team-high 850 yards. Several schools made Bell offers in the transfer portal. UConn head coach Jim Mora confirmed that Bell even had a $500K offer from Michigan on the table. UConn ultimately retained its top wideout and was rewarded with a dominant season. Bell posted a 101-1,278-13 receiving line, setting the school record for catches and receiving touchdowns in a single season. He operated at all depths of the field throughout his five years in college, but his skills were maximized when the Huskies peppered him with underneath targets. Bell averaged 8.2 YAC per catch and moved the chains 50 times in 2025. Only three wideouts created more first downs last year. The step up in competition from UConn to the NFL could be tough, but Bell has the makings of a dynamic WR2 at the next level.