ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. \u2014 Dalton Kincaid and his family were thrilled to learn the Buffalo Bills will play in his hometown on his birthday.<\/p>\n
Now, he needs to stay healthy long enough to enjoy it.<\/p>\n
After a fine rookie campaign, Kincaid\u2019s next two seasons were pockmarked by left knee and hamstring injuries. Even when the dynamic tight end was healthy enough to dress, he saw limited action last year, starting four games and playing a career-low 38 percent of his available offensive snaps.<\/p>\n
For the second straight offseason, Kincaid declined to have surgery on his knee. Bills football boss Brandon Beane and new head coach Joe Brady have pondered load management because Kincaid\u2019s continued availability will be critical \u2014 not only on Oct. 28 against the Las Vegas Raiders, but for the Bills\u2019 long-term 2026 success.<\/p>\n
Kincaid likes his chances.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say it\u2019s probably the best I\u2019ve felt in my career at this point in the year,\u201d Kincaid said after Tuesday\u2019s voluntary workout at One Bills Drive. \u201cJust not having those thoughts of the knee, especially last year. At this point, I feel really good. I\u2019m not even thinking about it out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffalo\u2019s offense is noticeably better with Kincaid on the field.<\/p>\n
The kid from Sin City looked like a winner from the first pull, gaining 777 receiving yards with three TDs as a rookie. But the payouts have dwindled each season since.<\/p>\n
Fewer snaps. Fewer catches. But the promise of a jackpot always remained.<\/p>\n
Although he played a dozen regular-season games last year, Kincaid scored a career-high five touchdowns and added two more TDs in the playoffs. He dropped one pass the entire campaign after amassing eight the season before, including the season-ending, fourth-down groaner against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n
That his hands nevertheless improved while hobbled might be a harbinger for what the total package can become if Kincaid avoids the injury report.<\/p>\n
Kincaid\u2019s decision not to undergo surgery on his damaged PCL for a second straight offseason has drawn scrutiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the season ended, I talked to a lot of doctors who know a lot more than I do regarding the PCL and everything that has to do with health,\u201d Kincaid said, \u201cand they advised against it. So I believe them, and that kind of went into setting a good foundation for strength around the knee to support it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While we can\u2019t definitively say surgery would have solved all of Kincaid\u2019s troubles last year, the question is fair. He has admitted that feeling uneasy on the knee led to overcompensating in other ways that led to hamstring injuries. As such, his main focus this offseason has been strengthening the entire area to enhance stability.<\/p>\n
As for load management, Kincaid said, \u201cThat\u2019s more just playing it by ear, seeing how things go from this point to training camp and from training camp into the preseason and season.\u201d<\/p>\n