Dalton Kincaid is headed to the Pro Bowl-at least, in name. The Buffalo Bills tight end has been named as a replacement for Travis Kelce in this season’s NFL Pro Bowl Games, but whether he’ll actually suit up is still very much up in the air.
The reason? A lingering knee injury that he's quietly played through for nearly two seasons.
According to reports, Kincaid has been managing a torn PCL in his left knee since 2024. That’s not just a nagging issue-it’s a significant injury, especially for a player who relies on route precision, quick cuts, and explosive bursts off the line. The fact that he’s been able to stay productive despite the injury speaks volumes about both his toughness and his value to the Bills’ offense.
The Pro Bowl Games are set for Tuesday, February 3, and while the event no longer features full-contact football, it still demands some physical activity. With surgery and a recovery timeline potentially looming, Kincaid’s participation remains uncertain.
If he does make the trip, Kincaid would join three other Bills players already named to the Pro Bowl: left tackle Dion Dawkins, running back James Cook III, and quarterback Josh Allen. Though, in Allen’s case, history tells us not to hold our breath-he’s turned down each of his last three Pro Bowl invites.
What makes Kincaid’s nod even more impressive is what he accomplished this season while playing hurt. In 12 regular-season games, he caught 39 passes on 49 targets for 571 yards and five touchdowns.
Then, when the playoffs rolled around, he stepped up again-hauling in nine catches for 111 yards and two scores across two postseason games. That kind of consistency, especially under physical duress, is rare.
And let’s be clear: Kincaid hasn’t just been a safety valve. At times, he’s been Buffalo’s top receiving option.
Despite lining up as a tight end, he’s operated like a true WR1 in Joe Brady’s offense, especially when injuries or inconsistency hit the Bills’ wide receiver corps. His ability to stretch the field, find soft spots in coverage, and create mismatches has been a game-changer.
But durability has been the one major question mark in Kincaid’s young NFL career. It’s a stark contrast to his college days, where he was relatively injury-free.
The Bills have been aware of this, too. Last offseason, general manager Brandon Beane openly talked about the need for Kincaid to build up his play strength-especially in comparison to someone like Dawson Knox.
The message was clear: to survive and thrive in this league, especially at tight end, you’ve got to be built for the grind.
That likely meant focusing on strengthening his lower body-quads, hamstrings, everything that supports knee stability and explosive movement. It’s worth noting that Kincaid also dealt with a hamstring injury late in the 2025 season, which only added to the physical toll.
Now, with a Pro Bowl selection under his belt and a pivotal offseason ahead, Kincaid is expected to finally address the knee issue head-on. If surgery is the next step, the hope is that it sets him up for a healthier, more dominant 2026 campaign.
For a player who’s already shown he can produce at a high level while less than 100%, a fully healthy Kincaid could be a serious problem for opposing defenses.