Thursday Night Football availability looks murky for two Bills' defensive starters

The shortened week doesn't help the matter, but even if the Buffalo Bills had a full six days prior to their next game, it would still be a reach to expect two injured defensive veterans to dress for Thursday Night Football.

With a September 18 home date against the Miami Dolphins looming, Bills' defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano were unavailable for Monday's practice in Orchard Park. Of the six players on the official injury report, all of whom play on the defensive side, Oliver and Milano were the lone two non-participants.

Reporters noticed Oliver continuing to use a walking boot while at the team facility on Monday.

While Oliver appears to have an ankle sprain that will likely cost him a few games, the severity of Milano's injury is not yet known. The former All-Pro linebacker, who has looked fantastic throughout the summer and into September, left the September 14 road win over the New York Jets after the first half.

The 31-year-old Milano is officially listed with a pectoral injury following 23 snaps in Week 2. He was shot out of a cannon to start the day, making the game's first two tackles from scrimmage and pushing New York into a 3rd-and-11 on the opening possession.

The problem arose late in the second quarter on a Justin Fields QB scramble play. Covering a receiver downfield, Milano left his man to pursue Fields in the open field and slipped to the turf. It seems as if the linebacker injured the pec when hitting the ground.

Initially spotted by The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia, Milano appeared to wear a shoulder harness while remaining in uniform on the sideline to start the second half in the Meadowlands.