Dalton Kincaid didn’t just gut out the 2025 season-he played through it with a torn PCL. That’s not a figure of speech. According to teammate Dawson Knox, who dropped the news during an appearance on the Monday Mornings with Mitch podcast, Kincaid battled the injury all year long.
It’s the same knee issue that first popped up in November 2024. Kincaid opted for rehab instead of surgery in the offseason, hoping to avoid going under the knife.
But when training camp rolled around, he tweaked the knee again after making a catch in traffic. From that point on, it was clear he wasn’t operating at full strength-though you’d never know it from the way he played.
Despite the injury-and the limitations it brought to his snap count-Kincaid still managed to be one of the most efficient tight ends in the league through early December. He wasn’t racking up gaudy numbers, but when the ball came his way, he made it count.
In just 12 games, he hauled in 39 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns. That’s production with a purpose, especially when you consider he did it all on a compromised knee.
Efficiency like that doesn’t happen by accident. Kincaid has quickly become one of Josh Allen’s most trusted targets, carving out a role in an offense that’s often looking for consistency beyond Stefon Diggs. His route-running, hands, and football IQ have made him a matchup problem for defenses-and that’s with limited mobility.
Now, surgery is on the table. If Kincaid chooses that route this offseason, the recovery timeline is projected at six to nine months. It’s a tough decision, but one that could help him return to full strength and unlock another level in his game.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kincaid’s role in the offense could be poised to grow-assuming he’s healthy and ready to go. But there’s another variable in play: the Bills’ coaching situation. With changes potentially coming at both head coach and offensive coordinator, how Kincaid is used next season could depend heavily on the new regime’s vision.
Still, what Kincaid showed in 2025-playing through pain, producing in key moments, and building chemistry with Allen-makes one thing clear: when he’s on the field, he’s a difference-maker. And if he’s finally able to play at 100 percent in 2026, the ceiling gets a whole lot higher.