Why Top TE Dalton Kincaid's Back Fracture Should Not Be a Big Worry

Rising tight end prospect Dalton Kincaid will not participate in this week's scouting combine due to a “small” back fracture that reportedly won't require surgery and the potential first-round pick will be cleared in the coming weeks. 

According to the Pro Football Docs, Kincaid appeared to suffer a mild compression fracture on November 26th when a defender landed on him during an awkward twisting motion. 

The fifth-year blue-chipper will get a full medical work-up considering the worrying nature and location of the injury but likely won't be downgraded or flagged and should be healthy by training camp. 

There is no such thing as a “small” back fracture, as NFL Network's Mike Garofolo described in his report, but this type of fracture is of a lesser degree and doesn't present long-term concerns.

Kincaid played one week later in the PAC-12 championship win over USC but opted out of the Rose Bowl. 

The soon-to-be-24-year-old caught 106 of 138 targets with only two drops for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns in 25 games for Utah after he logged 1,209 yards and 19 scores at University of San Diego. 

Kincaid has been lauded by scouts and draft analysts for his route-running and ball skills and compared to Travis Kelce as the ideal modern tight end.