The Buffalo Bills got a big win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, but they crashed back to reality with a letdown game in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. They’ll be in a great home game against the Buccaneers this Sunday, but they will be short-handed in the passing game, potentially opening up production for Keon Coleman with Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) out and Khalil Shakir (ankle/ribs) also dealing with injuries.
Let’s take a look at the latest on the injury status of Kincaid and Shakir, and who could step into a larger role in Week 11.
Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir Injury Updates
Coach Sean McDermott ruled Kincaid out on Friday, but the tight end could return as early as Week 12 against the Texans on Thursday Night Football. He is officially week-to-week after suffering the injury against Miami in Week 10.
In better news for the Bills, McDermott said that Shakir “is heading in the right direction and should be in a good spot” for Sunday’s game. Shakir is battling multiple injuries though, with rib injuries and an ankle issue. He could be limited if he is cleared to play or be one awkward hit or two away from suffering a setback. Shakir is durable and plays through most issues, but he could be limited a bit against Tampa.
Keon Coleman Fantasy Football Outlook
Shakir has totaled 20 catches on 24 targets in the three weeks since the Bills’ bye in Week 7. Kincaid has nine catches on 12 targets over that span, so there should be extra work available for other players to emerge as options.
Coleman would seem to be the next man up, and he is coming off eight targets in Week 10, his highest total since Week 1. Unfortunately for his fantasy managers, Coleman only hauled in three of those passes for 46 yards, but hd did get into the end zone for the third time this season.
Coleman has had impressive catches and bursts of production at times throughout his career, but he hasn’t been able to sustain consistent fantasy relevance.
He has multiple catches in every game this season, but he hasn’t totaled over 50 yards since Week 1, when he had 112 yards on eight catches. With a few more targets potentially heading his way, he does have a higher ceiling this week and makes sense as a fantasy sleeper, especially if Skahir is limited.
Joshua Palmer Fantasy Football Outlook
Palmer hasn’t played since Week 6, but he has been able to fully practice leading up to this week’s game against the Bucs and looks lined up to make his return. He had exactly two catches in each of his last three games before sustaining his knee and ankle injuries, posting 60 yards against the Falcons in Week 6.
He could help Coleman pick up some of the work, but he also hasn’t played for a while so he could be on a pitch count of his own.
If Palmer is limited as well, Curtis Samuel or Elijah Moore could be wild cards in the mix as well.
Dalton Knox Fantasy Football Outlook
Knox will be the direct replacement for Kincaid at tight end, and he had three catches for 37 yards after stepping into more snaps following Kincaid’s injury last week.
Knox has 12 catches for 155 yards this season but has proven that he can be a red zone option for Josh Allen when stepping in for injured tight ends in past seasons.
Even with more work, Knox would probably have to get into the end zone again on Sunday to really be a strong value.
The Bottom Line
The Bills will hope for a game script that allows them to lean on their running game more than they did last week while playing from behind against Miami. Josh Allen had to attempt 40 passes last week, after only attempting 31 passes or fewer in each of his previous seven games. Without Kincaid and with Shakhir potentially limited, if they have to air it out to keep up with the Bucs, Coleman could end up a very nice fantasy sleeper. The yardage hasn’t been there consistently, but he does bring big-play potential and upside, especially if the Bills start taking deep shots.
The Bucs-Bills matchup is one of the more interesting non-divisional games in the early wave on Sunday afternoon. It’s part of the main DFS fantasy football slate, highlighted by the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. In that format, Coleman is just $4,500, which makes him an outstanding potential value. Palmer is even cheaper at $3,300 as a flier play if you think he’ll make a splash in his return, and Knox is a bargain tight end to consider at only $3,300, although the matchup isn’t ideal for him, since the Bucs typically do a good job limiting tight end production. Of the available options in Buffalo, Coleman is definitely the best value play, since he brings a high ceiling and should be involved on Sunday.
