Bills' pregame roster move offers TE insurance with Kincaid, Knox questionable vs. Eagles

The Buffalo Bills signed a tight end off their practice squad, making him available for the December 28 home game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles

Jul 23, 2025; Rochester, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Keleki Latu (83) catches a pass during training camp at St. John Fisher University. | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills added a fourth tight end to their 53-man roster in Week 17.

After releasing wide receiver Mecole Hardman, the Bills signed undrafted rookie tight end Keleki Latu off their practice squad.

The move is seemingly connected to Buffalo's injury report with tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox officially questionable to face the Philadelphia Eagles on December 28 at 4:25 p.m. ET.

RELATED: Sean McDermott provides clarity for Bills' kicking situation in Week 17 vs. Eagles

Providing injury insurance, Latu joins fifth-round rookie Jackson Hawes as the only two healthy tight ends available. The Bills were required to sign Latu to an active roster contract due to the fact that he had already exhausted the three allotted gameday elevations as a practice squad player.

Dec 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) is unable to make the catch against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Huntington Bank Field | Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Buffalo's passing game has relied on its tight ends in key spots this season. The combination of Kincaid, Knox and Hawes has accounted for 1,073 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

TE injury info

Kincaid and Knox both played in the December 21 win over the Cleveland Browns. In fact, Knox logged 68 percent of offensive snaps last time out, and he has yet to miss a game all season.

Knox addressed reporters following the Week 16 victory, and he did not provide any indication of injury.

With Kincaid on a "management plan" and Knox a new addition to the injury report in Week 17, both tight ends were non-participants on back-to-back days before logging limited participation on Friday. The Bills listed both players as questionable due to knee issues.

Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

More about Latu

In three appearances this season, Latu has only one four-yard reception on one target. He has totaled 18 offensive snaps with the majority of his work coming on special teams.

RELATED: Josh Allen's 'faith' aside, Bills should end WR experiment with former first-rounder

The 6-foot-7 Latu, a Washington product, has been with the Bills since early May. He appeared in all three preseason games this past summer, securing two of three targets for 38 yards.

Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky throws to tight end Keleki Latu at St. John Fisher University Thursday, July 31, 2025 in Pittsford, NY. | Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

• Josh Allen's 'faith' aside, Bills should end WR experiment with former first-rounder

• Sean McDermott 'happy' after desperate Chiefs steal QB, leave Bills shorthanded

• Josh Allen makes strong statement promoting James Cook for major NFL award

• Buffalo Bills' free-agent 'bargain' approaching six-figure sack bonuses