The Buffalo Bills will be left with nothing but two key cogs as they begin preparing for their highly anticipated Week 11 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, as neither tight end Dalton Kincaid nor right tackle Spencer Brown will participate in Wednesday’s general practice. Head coach Sean McDermott explained the status of both during a media appearance Wednesday and also told reporters that five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper would be limited on Wednesday.

McDermott told the press that the team would “see how the week goes” for Kincaid and Brown, and later stated that he was “hopeful” the latter player would be able to practice and therefore play this week. The bench boss was also asked if Cooper’s availability was dependent on the cast he has on his left wrist, and McDermott gave a blanket answer that encompassed the team’s entire injury report.

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“I listen to our coach Nate (Breske) along with all these guys,” McDermott said. “It gives me information one day at a time, where we are, which I think is the best way to do it.”

Both Kincaid and Brown were injured in Buffalo’s Week 10 win against the Indianapolis Colts, and the second-year tight end suffered a knee injury while diving for a Josh Allen pass in the first quarter. Initially identified as doubtful, he attempted to return in the second half with a brace on his left knee, then quickly became questionable and remained on the sidelines. He told reporters after the victory that he did not yet know the extent of his injury.

Brown suffered an ankle injury on the Bills’ final offensive drive in Indianapolis but returned later in the series; Of course, being on the sidelines at practice (albeit incrementally) isn’t ideal, but McDermott’s optimism that he’ll be able to practice at some point this week is encouraging.

Cooper suffered an ankle injury while blocking a defender in Buffalo’s Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks, and the discomfort has kept him sidelined for the past two games. Although he has been listed as a limited participant in every training session since injuring his ankle, He started taking part in the pass-catching portion of positional drills last Friday.; McDermott said on Monday: Pain tolerance was a factor in Cooper’s eventual comeback.

Brown’s absence from practice is significant considering Buffalo has anchored its offensive line opposite perennial Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins, but perhaps Kincaid and Cooper’s situations are more concerning as the Bills prepare for Kansas City. Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman has already been ruled out for this Sunday’s gameLeaving both Kincaid and Cooper out of the equation would further hinder the team as it tries to prevent back-to-back undefeated Super Bowl champions. Buffalo will look to see all three of these players improve throughout the week.

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