Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott gave a positive update on linebacker Matt Milano on Wednesday.
The Bills (8-3) announced earlier in the day that Milano, along with linebacker Tyrel Dodson, were moved to the designated to return section of their injured reserve list. That doesn’t mean Milano is going to see game action in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers (5-6), but it’s a step in the right direction.
In his natural way, McDermott gave no insight into whether or not Milano would play in Buffalo’s next game. Still, good vibes.
“We’ve just got to take it one day at a time. Encouraged by the work he’s put in with our medical team. Today will be our first ‘look see’ as to where he’s at,” McDermott said. “We’ll see.”
Milano, who’s playing on the final year of his rookie contract, has rarely played in 2020 because of his current pectoral injury and a hamstring issue he dealt with earlier this season. Still, during his young career, Milano has been one of the most underrated players in the entire NFL so he should be a welcomed addition back in the lineup when he’s good to go.
But in recent days, both McDermott and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier have made note of the improved play of Milano’s replacement, AJ Klein, as of late.
“The last several weeks of his production, of his performance, I know you guys are all writing about it, but that’s really what I was around in Carolina with AJ. He’s a good football player and he’s done a great job for us this season,” McDermott said.
Frazier made mention that earlier this season, the team had essentially asked Klein to try and be Milano. When that wasn’t working, they tweaked with his role and the results have showed.
“Early on I think there was a little bit of a feeling out process on his part and ours as well,” Frazier said via video conference. “As we’ve gotten more comfortable with him and he’s gotten more comfortable in our system, we’ve seen him play some much improved football and that’s a credit to AJ.”
Considering the Bills coaching staff seem more than fine with Klein’s recent play, the team might not rush Milano back in the lineup. They have 21 days from Wednesday to activate him fully off the team’s injured reserve list.
For more on Milano’s designation to return label, see the link below:
Bills designate LBs Matt Milano, Tyrel Dodson to return off injured reserve
[lawrence-related id=73876,73917,73908,73915]