Tag: Matt Milano

Highlights: Bills’ Matt Milano makes first return to practice from injury

Highlights: Bills’ Matt Milano makes first return to practice from injury

The Buffalo Bills had a welcomed sight at practice this week ahead of facing the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills (8-2) will not have linebacker Matt Milano against the Chiefs (9-0). However, it was announced that the 30-year-old was designated to return from injury reserve this week following early-season bicep issue.

While Milano won’t be health enough to face Kansas City, Milano’s 21-day practice window was opened by making that move. On Thursday, Milano practiced with his Buffalo teammates for the first time in weeks which was still a welcomed sight.

Clips of Milano working out at his first practice back can be found below:

[lawrence-related id=142993,142986,142982]

Bills open practice window for LB Matt Milano

Bills open practice window for LB Matt Milano

The Buffalo Bills have a big boost coming in the injury department.

Head coach Sean McDermott has announced that linebacker Matt Milano has been designated to return from injured reserve and his 21-day practice window has been opened. Milano, 30, was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 9 because of a knee injury.

[lawrence-related id=142844,142822,142830]

Latest injury update for Bills LB Matt Milano

Latest injury update for Bills LB Matt Milano

While the Buffalo Bills have dealt with a slew of injuries at times during the 2024 season, one has remained the same for most of it: Matt Milano.

Milano. still recovering from a bicep injury. The 30-year-old is on injury reserve but not the season-ending variety. He could still return.

But Milano was injured all the way back in training camp. What’s the latest update?

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott provided us that this past week.

Ahead of facing the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, McDermott noted “there is” hope that Milano can still return this season.

“I don’t know a lot of the detail, I just kind of know a big-picture view of Matt. He’s moving in the right direction, I see him every day. He’s one of the leaders on our football team,” McDermott said.

McDermott’s full update on Milano can be found in the WIVB-TV clip below:

Bills’ Dorian Williams: ‘It’s all starting to click now’

Bills’ Dorian Williams: ‘It’s all starting to click now’

Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams has found himself in a big role in year two.

Williams, a 2023 third-rounder out of Tulane, was projected to be a top reserve linebacker for the Bills this year. A training camp injury to starting linebacker Matt Milano changed the course of Williams’ season.

Thrust into a starting role from Week 1, Williams has now had five consecutive starts to begin the year. It’s near-impossible to replace the production from the former All-Pro Milano, but Williams has shined so far.

While Williams has started to his his stride, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott complimented him even earlier.

“I thought he did a good job,” McDermott said after Williams’ first start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.

He enters Week 6’s matchup against the New York Jets (2-3) tied for the league lead in tackles (54). He posted 11 solo tackles in his last game. Williams is flying around the field, using his instincts, and making solid tackles. The way he finishes plays is reminiscent of Milano.

When asked about his play this year in Thursday’s post-practice press conference, Williams was appreciative of the support around him.

“Learning every week, taking what everybody has to say into account. I think it has helped a lot, for sure,” he said.

Williams was transparent in saying he wasn’t prepared to see much time during his rookie year, but fellow linebacker and team captain Terrel Bernard reassured him that his time would come.

“Last year I did come in a little under the bar I think,” Williams said. “[Bernard told me] ‘learn every day… my first year I didn’t really know what was going on either’. Once he told me that, I understood what was expected out of me. I took the offseason to learn a lot. They let me keep my iPad so I studied all summer and it’s all starting to click now, for sure.”

In 2023, Williams started just two games for the Bills. Now, he is looking like he could be the long-term answer at weakside linebacker given Milano’s health struggles. Milano will take his job back when he’s ready to go later this season, but Williams is taking the opportunity in front of him and running with it for now.

[lawrence-related id=141389,141372,141368]

3 causes for concern as the Bills face the Cardinals in Week 1

3 causes for concern as the #Bills face the #Cardinals in Week 1:

The Buffalo Bills are looking get in the win column as they host the Arizona Cardinals in their season opener.

Buffalo begins their quest for a fifth-straight AFC East title and every game will be important. However, Arizona will be no pushover.

Every NFL team has a strong roster. As they say, the players on the other sideline are getting paid too.

But in terms of facing the Cards this week, there are a few particular things that could be a problem.

Here are three causes for concern as the Bills face the Cardinals in Week 1:

Kyler is healthy

(Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

There are many in the NFL world that question Kyler Murray’s talents. Last season he certainly did not have his best stuff.

But there’s a reason for that: Health. A knee injury took Murray out of action but now he’s back at it again. Murray only appeared in eight games in 2023 and put together a 3-5 record.

No Matt Milano against Trey McBride

(Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic)

The Bills will be without Matt Milano for most of the season due to a bicep injury. Milano has many talents, among the best of those is defending the pass. He is Buffalo’s best defender against opposing tight ends.

While the Cardinals did not have an overly impressive season a year ago, they still saw Trey McBride shine. He led Arizona in catches (81) and yards (825) in 2023. McBride is going to be a player the Cards want to get involved.

Stopping the run

(USAT)

James Conner and Emari Demercado combined for 4.98 yards per carry coming out of Arizona’s backfield in 2023. A year ago, Buffalo’s run defense was right in the middle of the NFL, allowing 110.6 yards per game (15th).

Murray’s legs might factor in here, too… but so will his arm. The Bills defense won’t be able to load the line of scrimmage to stop Conner & Co. rushing the ball which could open up holes.

Worth noting: Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is back and healthier. He missed a chunk of time in 2023 due to a pectoral injury and he is Buffalo’s best run defender.

[lawrence-related id=139670,139666,139663]

What is Bills LB Matt Milano’s injured reserve status in 2024?

What is #Bills LB Matt Milano’s injured reserve status in 2024?

While it’s a bummer that the Buffalo Bills will be without linebacker Matt Milano for the start, and most, of the 2024 NFL season… there was good news to be found.

During the NFL’s roster cut-down day, the All-Pro linebacker was placed on injured reserve. As were running back Darrynton Evans and offensive lineman Travis Clayton.

But IR has layers.

Clayton (shoulder) will not play in 2024. The England international was considered a long-term project piece regardless.

In a new rule for this season, NFL teams were allowed to place two players on IR ahead of roster cut-down day. Previously they had to make the 53-man roster then be placed on the injury designation if their season was not over. Not anymore, which allowed Buffalo to move Milano (and Evans) to an important placement.

Milano (bicep) and Evans (hamstring) were slapped with the “designated to return” status. That means Milano could still be back even though he’s on IR. That’s a good update.

Milano’s future outlook remains murky as he’s labeled as “out indefinitely,” potentially until December… time will tell.

Bills Wire will provide all injury updates throughout the 2024 NFL season.

https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1828546659103768726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1828546659103768726%7Ctwgr%5E428c93fd1179a30aa6a63c8f6cc351e08f8ea04c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnfl%2Fbills%2Fnews%2Fbuffalo-bills-matt-milano-ir-designation

[lawrence-related id=139526,139293,139520]

Bills’ Mike White jokes about ‘one condition’ he had before signing

A good sense of humor:

New Buffalo Bills quarterback Mike White comes to his new team with past memories of them.

Note: They were not fond memories.

White was most recently with the Miami Dolphins before signing in Buffalo. Prior to that, he was with the New York Jets where he ended up playing against the Bills twice.

On one occasion at Highmark Stadium, White took a beating. Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano laid insanely large hits on him. The one from Milano looked like a video game it was so booming.

White knew where he was signing because of those moments… but he managed to now make light of them.

Speaking for the first time as a member of the Bills, White said Oliver did apologize to him and then he joked about his “one condition” he had with the Bills before signing.

“I just can’t be locker room mates with Matt Milano,” White said.

Clearly a light-hearted guy, you have to give it up to him. He does play a hard-nosed style of football. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane acknowledged that was one of the reasons why he wanted to add White to the practice squad.

“We’ve obviously gone against Mike,” Beane said via video conference. “I think everyone in here is very familiar with his career, all the time in the AFC East. The thing I have always liked about Mike and respected about him was whether he started the game or came into the game, he came in guns a blazing. No fear.”

At least White can be happy that this mentality landed him a new job.

For more from White, see the attached Spectrum News clip below:

[lawrence-related id=139501,139497,139491]

Buffalo local Joe Andreessen reveals who his favorite Bills player was before making the team

Buffalo local Joe Andreessen reveals who his favorite #Bills player was before making the team:

Joe Andreessen is now an NFL player.

Not only that, he is with his hometown team.

In a rarity for western New York, Andreessen made Buffalo’s initial 53-man roster out of training camp. It’s not a hotbed for football players but Andreessen managed to do it anyway.

After officially becoming a Bill, Andreessen made a wholesome comment. He was asked who his favorite player was growing up… but instead, Andreessen diverted to his more recent favorite.

It was Matt Milano, who is now sharing a locker room with him.

“I know he’s my teammate…” Andreessen joked.

Andreessen’s full response can be found in the WKBW-TV clip below:

[lawrence-related id=139451,139446,139441]

Bills’ Dorian Williams says he’s ready to step up for Matt Milano

#Bills’ Dorian Williams says he’s ready to step up for Matt Milano:

Dorian Williams knows it is his time to step up.

With the news that All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano will be out indefinitely with a bicep injury, Williams is in line to come off the bench for him.

“I feel ready,” Williams said. “That’s what we’re brought here to do.”

Williams was a third-round pick of the Bills at the 2023 NFL draft. When selected, Buffalo was not expected to select a linebacker–Now it’s a good thing the Bills decided to invest in depth behind Milano.

While the team would love to have Milano on the field, there is confidence in Williams. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said it will need to be a team effort, but he has confidence in Williams.

“We’ve got to be resilient,” McDermott said via video conference. “Dorian’s going to do a good job. He’s been making progress.”

Williams’ full thoughts on his opportunity can be found in the Batavia Daily News clip below:

[lawrence-related id=138959,138955,138950]

What Sean McDermott said about injury to Bills LB Matt Milano

What Sean McDermott said about injury to #Bills LB Matt Milano:

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano’s season is likely over.

Milano is out indefinitely. He sustained an arm injury during a training camp practice earlier this week which has been confirmed as a torn bicep.

Milano’s return was one of the most anticipated storylines in Buffalo ahead of the upcoming season. He is coming off a season-ending leg injury from the 2023 season. The year prior, he was named a first-team All-Pro.

Because of Milano’s efforts to get back on the field after a serious injury a year ago, those close to him are most upset with the new injury. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott reference that when discussing the injury.

“No one knows all the work he put in,” McDermott said.

McDermott’s full thoughts on Milano’s injury can be found below:

[lawrence-related id=138950,138945,138938]