Knox needs wrist surgery, timetable to return TBD
TE Dawson Knox will undergo wrist surgery and miss some time, according to Bills head coach Sean McDermott. The timetable for how long the surgery will keep Knox out is yet to be determined.
"I wish I could tell you, too early right now," McDermott said.
The fifth-year tight end first injured his wrist in the team's Week 5 London game against the Jaguars. Knox was a limited participant in practice all week leading up to Week 6 vs. the Giants before ultimately suiting up; he caught three passes for 21 yards in the 14-9 win.
Knox's absence opens the door for the Bills' first round pick Dalton Kincaid to see more work, starting this week against the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football.
Kincaid had his best day as a pro despite Buffalo's loss at New England. He led all Bills pass catchers in receiving yards (75), and catches (8), and he will continue to be a focal point of the offense moving forward.
"It's good to see him getting going and getting a report with Josh," McDermott said. "I think that can help us as we move forward."
Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey says the offense will miss what Knox can do from a versatility standpoint, particularly when it comes to how often the Bills line up in 12 personnel with multiple tight ends on the field.
"It definitely has that impact. You're forced to adjust some of those philosophical things that you've been doing," he shared.
Dorsey agreed with the assessment that Kincaid looked more comfortable with the offense after missing Week 6 with a concussion. Kincaid's awareness for open spaces in the middle of the field helped Buffalo move the chains on multiple possessions against New England.
"He had a good feel out there was was able to create some separation and get open," Dorsey said. "Still ascending in terms of his development in this league."
Bills being cautious with Miller's usage
In his first two games back from his ACL injury, Bills LB Von Miller saw 20 snaps in Week 5 followed by 27 snaps in Week 6. However in Week 7, Miller played just six snaps against the Patriots.
McDermott said that Miller's decreased snap count was due to the "situational" demands of the game and that the plan is still for his role to grow.
"We got to manage it a little bit better as well," he said. "So, we'll look forward to him getting more reps moving forward here."
When asked about the risk-reward factor of Miller seeing a more limited snap count Sunday, McDermott said it's "a fair question" to wonder about how much he can produce over the stretch of the game. He said he hopes to find the right balance with getting Miller's workload ramped up the right way — and in a way that also benefits the defense.
"We've got to make sure that that player and his situation in this case with Von is managed and getting enough reps and reps based on the situation we may be in - down and distance wise, field position wise in this case. And so it's just hey, if they're dressed, making sure that that player is being managed accordingly," he shared.
Though he hasn't produced much on the stat sheet yet, Miller believes he is continuing to inch closer to his usual self.
"I'm feeling good. You just got to keep on playing," Miller said postgame in the locker room.
Bills defensive line coach and assistant head coach Eric Washington said it was an "in-game" call for Miller to only play six snaps and not a new injury.
"It was just a decision in real time, just based on some of the situations that we found ourselves in — and where Von is where he is right now," he said.
He added that Miller is not in danger of missing Thursday's game.
"He'll be ready to go on Thursday night," Washington said.
