The Buffalo Bills are riding high after a dramatic comeback win over the New England Patriots, but as they gear up for a critical Week 16 matchup, they might be doing it without a few key pieces.
Thursday’s injury report wasn’t exactly what Bills fans were hoping for. Tight end Dalton Kincaid and left tackle Dion Dawkins were both held out of practice-Kincaid with a knee injury, Dawkins due to illness. And while it’s still early in the week, their statuses are worth watching closely with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
Let’s start with Kincaid. The rookie tight end has quickly become one of Josh Allen’s go-to weapons in the passing game.
His ability to find soft spots in coverage and make contested catches has added a new dimension to Buffalo’s offense. He’d only just returned from a hamstring issue, and now this knee problem pops up at a crucial time.
If he’s not able to go, that’s a real blow to the Bills’ intermediate passing game.
The silver lining? Dawson Knox has been trending up lately.
After a quiet stretch earlier in the season, Knox has started to reestablish chemistry with Allen. He’s a proven red zone threat and a solid blocker, and if Kincaid is sidelined, Knox will be asked to shoulder a bigger load-something he’s shown he can handle in the past.
Now, let’s talk about the bigger concern: Dion Dawkins. One of the league’s most dependable left tackles, Dawkins is the kind of player you don’t want to be without-especially not when you’re facing Myles Garrett.
The Browns’ edge rusher is having a monster season and is closing in on the single-season sack record. If Dawkins isn’t able to suit up, that’s a matchup nightmare for Buffalo.
Protecting Josh Allen’s blind side becomes a lot more complicated without No. 73 anchoring the edge.
Also missing from Thursday’s practice were defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and kicker Matt Prater. Neither absence is a surprise, but their availability still matters. Phillips brings veteran presence and interior disruption on the defensive line, while Prater's reliability from distance is a major asset in tight games-especially in late December when field goals can swing playoff fates.
The Bills remain a game behind the Patriots in the AFC East, and with just a few weeks left, the margin for error is razor thin. Realistically, Buffalo needs to win out to have a shot at overtaking New England. That means every game is a must-win, and every player counts-especially the ones who’ve been driving the team’s success all season.
Even though they’re facing a struggling Browns squad, the NFL doesn’t hand out wins based on records. If the Bills are without Kincaid and Dawkins, it’ll test their depth and force others to step up.
The stakes are high, and the margin for error is shrinking. Buffalo’s playoff push is alive-but the road ahead just got a little bumpier.