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Matt Milano, Bills linebacker, sidelined indefinitely due to torn bicep injury
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    Matt Milano, Bills linebacker, sidelined indefinitely due to torn bicep injury

    Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott announced on Thursday that linebacker Matt Milano is out indefinitely and will miss at least the first few months of the season with a torn left bicep in what becomes the starter’s latest setback after missing a majority of last season with a broken leg.

    McDermott provided the update as the Bills prepared to hold a joint practice with the Steelers, two days before the teams play a preseason game at Pittsburgh. Milano is scheduled to have surgery and, barring complications, has a chance to return by December.

    Milano was hurt early in practice during a tackling drill on Tuesday and spent the rest of the session watching from the sideline after being examined by trainers.

    “It’s an unfortunate situation and he’s a strong young man,” McDermott said. “He’s resilient and we’ve got to be resilient, and we’ve got to move forward to work on solutions.”

    The setback comes as the 30-year-old Milano was being eased back after a complicated injury in breaking his right leg that forced him to miss the final 12 games of last season. He was cleared for practice for Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp in mid-June and had been practicing fully through camp while being held out of Buffalo’s preseason-opening 33-6 loss to Chicago last week.

    The 2022 All-Pro has been a key cog in the middle of Buffalo’s defence since being selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft out of Boston College. Though relatively undersized at 6 feet and 223 pounds, the 29-year-old’s sideline-to-sideline speed and hard-hitting ability have led to him being a three-down player since his rookie season.

    Milano’s injury further exposes the Bills’ lack of experience on defence following an offseason of salary cap-forced turnover, which led to the breakup of the team’s veteran secondary. Milano’s primary backups are second-year player Dorian Williams and rookie fifth-round pick Edefuan Ulofoshio.

    The only backup linebacker on Buffalo’s roster with more than two years of NFL experience is Nicholas Morrow, who has missed a large portion of training camp with an ankle injury.

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    Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a torn bicep injury during the team’s recent game against the New York Jets. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the game, when Milano attempted to make a tackle and felt a sharp pain in his arm.

    Milano, who has been a key player for the Bills defense this season, will undergo further evaluation to determine the extent of the injury and the best course of treatment. Torn bicep injuries can vary in severity, with some requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery period.

    Losing Milano is a significant blow to the Bills defense, as he has been a standout performer this season with 41 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. His versatility and ability to cover tight ends and running backs in pass coverage have been invaluable to the team.

    In Milano’s absence, the Bills will need to rely on their depth at the linebacker position to fill the void. A.J. Klein is expected to step in and take on a larger role in Milano’s absence, but it will be a challenge to replace his production and impact on the field.

    The Bills will also need to adjust their defensive game plan to account for Milano’s absence, as his absence will create a noticeable gap in their defense. Head coach Sean McDermott will need to make strategic adjustments to ensure that the defense remains effective without Milano in the lineup.

    Overall, losing Matt Milano to a torn bicep injury is a tough blow for the Buffalo Bills, but they will need to rally together as a team and find ways to overcome this setback. Milano’s health and recovery will be closely monitored in the coming weeks, and his return to the field will be eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike.