Dawson Knox Injury Update: Bills Confirm Star TE’s Week 11 Return—Here’s How It Changes the Playoff Picture

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox is trending upward just in time for the Bills’ pivotal Week 11 showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With fellow first-round tight end Dalton Kincaid sidelined by an ankle injury, Knox is poised to regain a prominent target share in Josh Allen’s passing attack—a role he embraced before Kincaid’s 2023 arrival. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Knox said the offense “feels as explosive as ever” and that he’s “ready to shoulder any load the coaches give me,” echoing confidence that began building after his 19-yard touchdown in Kincaid’s previous absence back in Week 6. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey has hinted at more two-tight-end looks, but with Kincaid unavailable the Bills may deploy Knox on a season-high snap count. Why Knox’s expanded role matters now 1. Red-zone reliability: Knox has converted 17 of his 25 career red-zone targets into touchdowns, a 68 percent success rate that ranks among the league’s best for tight ends. 2. Matchup vs. Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers have allowed the fourth-most receptions to tight ends this season, surrendering 7.1 catches and 64 yards per game to the position. 3. Chemistry with Josh Allen: From 2021-22, Allen posted a 118.2 passer rating when throwing to Knox inside the 20-yard line, the third-highest mark for any QB-TE duo over that span. Fantasy football implications Managers scrambling for a Week 11 streamer should prioritize Knox, who is available in over 70 percent of major fantasy formats. Analysts at RotoWire project an immediate bump to five-plus targets, giving him top-12 upside in PPR leagues. His touchdown equity alone makes him a plug-and-play option against a defense that has already yielded six TE scores. What to watch Sunday • Early involvement: If Knox records multiple targets on the opening drive, expect Buffalo to lean on quick-hitting seam routes to neutralize Tampa’s pass rush. • Play-action routes: Without Kincaid, the Bills often position Knox off the line to sell run fakes, then slip him behind linebackers for chunk gains. • Goal-line packages: Look for heavy sets with Knox motioning across the formation—a staple Allen trusts when the play breaks down. Long-term outlook Kincaid is considered week-to-week, meaning Knox could remain fantasy-relevant through Thanksgiving. More importantly, a productive stretch would reinforce his value in Buffalo’s evolving offense heading into the playoff push. For a team eager to reclaim AFC East supremacy, a resurgent Dawson Knox might be the X-factor that keeps defenses guessing—and keeps the Bills in the win column.