Matt Milano is facing a lengthy absence due to injury for the second straight year. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the All-Pro Bills linebacker suffered a torn bicep during practice earlier this week.
As a result of the injury, Milano is out indefinitely. Schefter notes Milano will undergo surgery with the hope of being able to return at some point during the campaign. However, Buffalo will need to make alternate arrangements at the linebacker spot for the foreseeable future.
Milano suffered a fractured leg and a knee injury in Week 5 of the 2023 season, ending his availability for the year. That injury left the Bills without a full-time starter at the second level of their defense through the playoffs and well into the 2024 offseason. The 30-year-old made progress in rehab to the point that he could participate on a limited basis during the minicamp in June. Milano had been taking part in training camp while preparing to return to regular season action, but his attention will now again turn to recovery.
Buffalo was set to rely heavily on Milano in 2024. The former fifth-rounder has spent his entire career with the Bills, starting 74 of his 90 games. In 2022, he racked up three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and 99 tackles, which earned him a Pro Bowl invitation and an All-Pro nod. Especially with Tremaine Edmunds having departed in free agency, the Bills were counting on Milano to remain a key defense member in 2023.
His absence was acutely felt, which will undoubtedly be true in 2024. Buffalo still has Terrel Bernard in the fold, and he served as a full-time starter last season. Buffalo also has 2023 third-rounder Dorian Williams on the depth chart; after logging a special teams workload as a rookie, Williams may be thrust into a starting role. Other linebacker options include free agent signings Nicholas Morrow and Deion Jones, and fifth-round rookie Edefuan Ulofoshio. Of course, replacing Milano’s unique skill set with that of any player will be challenging.
The Boston College alum signed a two-year, $28.33M extension last offseason. Milano is thus under contract through 2026, although no guaranteed salary is in place after the coming year. Another significant injury will lead to an on-field absence felt by the team, but it could also lead to efforts to restructure his deal and lower his future cap hits. In any event, Milano’s 2024 debut will be much later than anticipated.
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