The NFL season is in full swing. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers head into Monday Night Football, Dalton Kincaid’s status remains uncertain. Will the Buffalo Bills’ tight end’s injury keep him out of tonight’s game against the Atlanta Falcons?
Is Dalton Kincaid Playing Tonight?
Update:Â Kincaid is OUT tonight. Dawson Knox is a desperation replacement option for fantasy managers. You can also look to either of the Chicago Bears tight ends, Cole Kmet or Colston Loveland if absolutely necessary.
Kincaid has been dealing with an oblique injury that first appeared on Buffalo’s practice report two weeks ago. The issue limited his participation in all three practice sessions, preventing him from fully engaging at any point during the week’s preparation.
This marks the second consecutive week that Kincaid has battled the oblique problem. He managed to play through the injury during last week’s loss to New England despite being limited in practice. The difference is that he avoided carrying any injury designation into that contest.
Last week, Kincaid delivered an outstanding performance with six catches for 108 yards despite the oblique discomfort. His production stood as one of the few bright spots in Buffalo’s disappointing offensive showing against the Patriots.
This week presents a different scenario as Kincaid has not only remained limited in practice but also been tagged with a questionable status on the final injury report. The escalation from no designation to questionable suggests the oblique issue may have worsened or failed to improve as expected.
Head coach Sean McDermott did not provide specific updates on Kincaid’s condition during his recent press conferences, maintaining that the team would evaluate his status closer to game time. This approach typically indicates genuine uncertainty about a player’s availability.
Kincaid represents an actual gametime decision for Monday’s 7:15 PM ET kickoff against Atlanta. NFL insiders or beat reporters will likely provide directional information about his status throughout Monday, giving fantasy managers some guidance before making final lineup decisions.
The 90-minute window before kickoff will provide definitive clarity when Buffalo releases their inactive list. Fantasy managers who roster Kincaid should monitor these reports closely to make informed decisions.
With Monday night featuring two games on the schedule, there are pivot options available if Kincaid cannot suit up. While none of these alternatives will be appealing compared to Kincaid’s upside, the expanded player pool provides more desperation waiver wire options than typically available for single-game slates.
If Kincaid misses the contest, Dawson Knox would likely see increased involvement as Buffalo’s primary tight end option, though his fantasy ceiling remains limited.
Kincaid’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Is this Buffalo’s WR1?
Kincaid has been a top 10 tight end in three of five weeks and has seen multiple deep targets in consecutive games. He may not look like one of these size/speed blends that profiles well, but he always seems to be sitting in zones, and Josh Allen is clearly comfortable with his emerging tight end.
MORE:Â Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
For the season, Kincaid is being targeted on 22% of his routes, and on Sunday night, he held a season-high slot usage rate (57.6%). The Bills are moving their former first-round pick all over the place, and even if it’s not with high-end volume, his connection has him sitting as a top 10 TE for me both this week and the rest of the season.
Through five weeks, he has an 18+ yard grab in every game and has improved his yards per catch from 10.2 in 2022 to 14.4.
— Kyle Soppe, PFSN Fantasy Analyst
Replacement Options For Kincaid Include Cole Kmet and Dawson Knox
If you need a last minute replacement, the options are limited. If Kincaid is in your Flex, here is everyone you can feasibly add. Obviously, if he is in your tight end spot, you are limited to tight ends.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet offers another desperation option. The veteran has maintained consistent involvement in Chicago’s passing attack, serving as a reliable target for sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams. His 6’6″ frame makes him an appealing red-zone option in what could develop into a high-scoring divisional matchup.
The Bears’ tight end has shown chemistry with Williams throughout the early portion of the season, providing a dependable option for fantasy managers needing guaranteed touches rather than ceiling plays.
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
Before Kincaid was drafted, Knox was the Bills TE1. It was a long time ago, but back in 2021 and 2022, Knox was a on the TE1/2 border. He caught 15 touchdowns across those two seasons.
The Bills are also down Curtis Samuel, which means this offense may be a bit more consolidated between Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, and Knox. It’s desperation for sure, but you can do worse.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Tyler Allgeier presents a solid volume-based alternative if Samuel were occupying your flex spot. The Atlanta Falcons running back has carved out a consistent role in the team’s backfield despite not being the primary starter.
Allgeier entered the NFL as a former walk-on from BYU who set a single-season school record with 1,601 rushing yards in 2021. He was selected by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2022 draft and has steadily earned more responsibility each season.
Through the first five weeks, Allgeier has maintained a reliable floor through his rushing opportunities while occasionally contributing in the passing game. His 4.4 career yards per carry average demonstrates solid efficiency when given chances.
Most importantly for desperate fantasy managers, Allgeier offers a decent shot at goal-line touches in what should be a competitive game. At the very least, you know he won’t get you zero.
Joshua Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills
Joshua Palmer represents another receiving option, though he’s been disappointing since joining Buffalo as a free agent. Palmer signed a three-year, $29 million contract with the Bills after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Palmer has struggled to find rhythm in Buffalo’s offense, managing just seven catches on nine targets over his four most recent games. The adjustment period has been longer than expected as he learns the nuances of offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s system.
However, Palmer’s talent remains evident from his Chargers tenure, where he developed into a reliable intermediate target. His route-running precision and hands could make him a sneaky option if the Bills must throw frequently to keep pace.
The Monday night stage against a pass-funnel Falcons defense that has shown vulnerability in coverage could provide Palmer with opportunities to break out of his early-season struggles.
