ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced on Friday that tight end Dalton Kincaid will not participate in the upcoming Sunday night game against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he remains cautiously optimistic about the potential return of linebacker Matt Milano, who has been sidelined for nearly 14 months due to various injuries.

Kincaid is set to miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury and has not practiced since sustaining the injury during a 30-20 victory against the Indianapolis Colts on November 10. In contrast, Milano, an eighth-year veteran, has been deemed questionable for the game after fully participating in practice for the last two days and no longer wearing a non-contact jersey.

With a record of 9-2, the Bills are coming off a bye week, and a win against the 49ers, who hold a 5-6 record, would secure the Bills their fifth consecutive AFC East title.

Milano’s situation is significant, as he has not played since fracturing his right leg in Week 5 of the 2023 season, followed by a left biceps tear during a training session in mid-August. McDermott commented on Milano’s increased practice time, stating, “Really just the next step, right? He hasn’t been through a Friday practice really to this extent. So we’ll see how he handles today and then go from there.”

The team has until Saturday to decide on activating Milano from the Injured Reserve list. If he does play, the expectation is that the coaching staff will carefully manage his playing time, as they have done previously with players returning from long-term injuries.

Additionally, the Bills could see the return of rookie tackle DeWayne Carter, who has been on IR for the last five weeks due to a wrist injury. He is also listed as questionable, alongside rookie receiver Keon Coleman, who is close to returning after missing two games with a wrist issue. Notably, starting right tackle Spencer Brown is expected to rejoin the lineup after sitting out a game due to an ankle injury.