Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano hasn’t played in an NFL football game since October 8, 2023. The All-Pro linebacker lost all last season to a broken leg, and then a torn biceps muscle forced him out of action during training camp.
Milano took one more step toward his return on Monday.
Bills coach Sean McDermott announced that the team is opening Milano’s practice window, allowing him to begin practicing with the team. He’s been on injured reserve all season and won’t play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he’ll start ramping back up.
“It’s been a while since he’s played,” McDermott said on his weekly Monday Zoom press conference. “He’s done a phenomenal job, along with our trainers, of getting back out there (and) take it one day and one week at a time.”
Milano will remain on injured reserve for up to 21 days and can practice during that period. The Bills must activate him to the 53-man roster by the end of the practice window. The Bills play two home games against the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers next but will have their bye following the Chiefs game.
Milano suffered the torn biceps on a practice rep when he tried to tackle a pad held by one of the Bills’ coaches. Milano spent months rehabbing the leg injury, and McDermott said it was challenging to watch him get so close only to sustain another long-term injury.
McDermott said Milano has been an important presence in the locker room and on the sideline the past few weeks as he worked to get back on the field.
“He’s been back in the building more this year after this year’s injury,” McDermott said. “It’s afforded him the opportunity to rehab here, be around the guys, which I think, mentally, has been good for Matt, but also good for our defense and for our team. He’s such a leader, albeit a little bit on the quieter side.”
Second-year linebacker Dorian Williams has filled in for Milano as the outside linebacker for the Bills. Buffalo’s depth at the position took a hit last week when Baylon Spector sustained a calf injury that forced the team to place him on injured reserve. Milano’s looming return comes at a good time as the Bills try to add some numbers behind Williams and start middle linebacker Terrel Bernard.