Von Miller very likely will enjoy his season debut Sunday, when his Bills take on the Jaguars in London. On Saturday, Buffalo moved their star pass rusher to the active roster.
Miller, the former Texas A&M star and Super Bowl MVP, has said all week that he planned on playing. It’s no surprise he’s anxious, given that he hasn’t played in a game since Thanksgiving. That’s when he tore his ACL. He started this season on the physically unable to perform list. But that four-week window expired after last Sunday.
Meanwhile, to make a spot for Von Miller, the Bills moved cornerback Tre’Davious White to injured reserve. White tore his Achilles last Sunday and is out for the rest of the season.
Bills coach says Von Miller got a win just by getting through first few practices
Now, it’s not 100 percent sure he’ll play against Jacksonville, Miller left himself some wiggle room, just in case. He told reporters, Friday, that he was 94.5 percent sure that he’d see action.
“I think that’s a safe bet,” Von Miller said during a press conference at a resort outside London. That’s where the Bills are staying for this short jaunt to England. “It’s been a long road. Long road to recovery. I’ve had two really good practices. Had a really good practice (Friday). I think it’s a safe bet that I’ll be out there.”
The Bills listed him as questionable on their final injury report.
Here’s why there’s a 5.5 percent chance of Miller sticking on the sidelines — as he said, he’s only had two full days of practice. The Bills conducted a walk-through, Friday. Is that enough prep time for the likes of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence?
“The biggest thing when you’re coming off an injury like that, you just want to get through it,” Buffalo coach Sean McDermott told the media. “I applaud him for making it through that first practice. That’s a milestone in and of itself because of the months and months and hours of rehabbing.”
Von Miller’s good health came just in time for the defense. The Bills are down a defensive end, with Gregory Rousseau suffering a foot injury last Sunday against the Dolphins. McDermott already has ruled out Rousseau for the Jaguars. The Bills also elevated cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers from the practice squad.
The Bills and Jaguars will kick off at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, Sunday. They’re playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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