The Buffalo Bills have received a major boost ahead of their AFC Wild Card playoff clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is expected to be available for Sunday’s crucial game.Kincaid’s fitness has been closely monitored all week after he was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The tight end missed Week 17 due to the knee issue but returned in Week 18 against the New York Jets, easing concerns about a long-term setback.On Friday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott provided encouraging news. According to reports, Kincaid is expected to be removed from the injury report entirely, meaning he will not carry any game-day designation. This strongly suggests that the Bills are confident in his health heading into the playoffs.
Why Dalton Kincaid’s availability matters for Buffalo
Kincaid has been one of the most reliable targets in the Bills’ offense when healthy. He caught 39 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games this season, making him a critical safety valve for quarterback Josh Allen.The figures make it plain how much he affected things. Buffalo scored more than 30 points a game when Kincaid was on the field, but only 23 points per game when he wasn’t. It’s important to note that all of Allen’s interceptions this season happened when Kincaid wasn’t on the field. This shows how important the tight end is to keeping the offense consistent.Kincaid also posted one of the best efficiency numbers among NFL tight ends, recording a passer rating of over 149 when targeted. That kind of production is difficult to replace, especially in a playoff environment.The Jaguars’ defense has struggled against tight ends throughout the season, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards allowed to the position. This could work in Buffalo’s favor, especially if the Jaguars succeed in slowing down the Bills’ strong rushing attack.With Jacksonville expected to focus heavily on stopping the run, Kincaid could be used frequently on short and intermediate routes. Along with fellow tight end Dawson Knox, he gives the Bills flexibility in both blocking and passing situations.All signs point toward Dalton Kincaid playing on Sunday. While the Bills will still monitor his knee closely, the expectation is that he will be fully available and involved in the game plan.As Buffalo looks to break through in the postseason, having one of its most dependable offensive weapons healthy could make a significant difference in a tightly contested playoff matchup against Jacksonville.Also Read: Matt Prater injury update: Will the Bills Kicker play in this week’s playoff game vs. Jaguars?
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