What happened: Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins is officially inactive for Monday night's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Dawkins had been listed as questionable leading into the game due to a rib injury. His absence leaves Buffalo without its starting blindside protector on the offensive line.

Why it matters: Protecting the pocket remains critical for the 6-1 Bills as they aim to maintain the top seed in the AFC. Buffalo enters on a three-game winning streak following a 36-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Dawkins, an offensive line fixture since Buffalo drafted him in 2017, anchors pass protection for one of the conference's leading offenses.

What to watch: Buffalo will adjust its offensive line rotation against Minnesota's defensive front before monitoring Dawkins' recovery ahead of Week 10.