Getty Bills tight end Dawson Knox at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023.
The Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters midway through his press conference on Monday, October 23 that they will be without tight end Dawson Knox for the foreseeable future.
McDermott said Knox will undergo surgery for a wrist injury that he’s been battling through, noting that it’s “too early” to give a return timetable.
Dr. Jesse Morse suggested on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Wrist surgery, likely secondary to wrist fracture or ligament tear. Could realistically be out 1-4 weeks depending on the damage.”
Knox, who signed a four-year, $53 million extension last season, has struggled to make a dent on offense. While the Bills will miss his run-blocking, throughout seven games, he’s tallied just 15 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown.
Coach McDermott: Dawson Knox will have surgery on his wrist and it’s too early to say how much time he’ll miss. #BillsMafia
During the Bills’ 29-25 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, Knox had a touchdown called back due to an offensive pass interference call on running back Latavius Murray and ended the game with one catch for 10 yards.
With 13:43 left in the game, Knox got the ball knocked out of his grip on fourth down, a crucial turnover that gave the Patriots offense great field position. McDermott said you’d have to ask Knox if his injury played a part in the drop. Either way, “Dawson’s a good football player and we expect him to make those plays,” McDermott said.
Dalton Kincaid Is Positioned to Step Up Big Time With Dawson Knox Out
Dalton Kincaid entered the league as a chain mover with a volume friendly skillet who can work the middle
Paced the Bills with 8/75 sporting a 21.7% target share
Still not in that elite usage range but a season high routes run against the Patriots 📈
Knox was expected to be a key component of the Bills utilizing 12 personnel after the team drafted tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. While the team found success with the formation early on, Buffalo has recently drifted away from that game plan.
After missing Week 6 with a concussion, the rookie tight end had his best game of the season against the Patriots, catching all eight targets for 75 yards. “Interestingly enough, it came when the Bills ran 12 personnel at a far lower rate than they had all season with both Kincaid and Dawson Knox available,” The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia wrote.
“Knox and Kincaid were on the field together on only 21.6% of snaps. Kincaid had 44 snaps total, with 28 of those as the lone tight end on the field, clearly eating into Knox’s usual game script. With Kincaid’s output, that could be a trend to keep an eye on.”
With Knox out, the door is wide open for Kincaid to step up as every down receiver. Thus far this season, Kincaid has caught 25 passes for 193 yards.
Dalton Kincaid says he is unsure of the reason why he was more heavily involved in the #Bills offense this week: “When the ball comes my way I just try to execute.”
McDermott applauded Kincaid’s performance against the Patriots. “Very impressed and it was great to see,” he said on Monday. “I was happy with that, to say the least. That’s something we needed to get going for some time now,” noting how Kincaid’s growing rapport with quarterback Josh Allen will be greatly helpful for the team moving forward.
Knox was highly complimentary of Kincaid’s breakout performance. “Definitely a bright part of the game,” he said, per SI. “He’s a weapon to be used. So hopefully that’ll just continue to keep his confidence up… Definitely happy for him.”
Josh Allen Admitted Things Look ‘Bleak’ After Losing to the Patriots
GettyBills quarterback Josh Allen at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough.
Over the past three games, the Bills (4-3) have scored a total of 10 points in the first half. While Allen and Co. scored 15 points in under four minutes in the fourth quarter against New England, the 27-year-old doesn’t know why they can’t execute like that in the beginning.
“Well, I wish I knew the exact answer because we’d have it fixed by now,” Allen told reporters after the game. “We’re going to watch this film and find a way to get there, whatever it is. Our season is not over. It’s a long season. Feels pretty bleak right now, but we’re going to figure it out.”
Next up, the Bills (4-3) have a short week before hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) on Thursday Night Football. Despite their recent struggles, the Bills are considered 7.5-point favorites to win.