#Bills linebacker Matt Milano is dealing with a hamstring injury. Here are the latest updates.
The Buffalo Bills listed veteran linebacker Matt Milano on their injury report this week ahead of a pivotal AFC Championship Game matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Will Milano be able to take the field for Buffalo when the Bills face off against Kansas City this afternoon?
Matt Milano injury update
Milano is dealing with a hamstring injury that limited his participation in Buffalo’s practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. However, on Friday Milano was a full participant in the Bills’ drills, and he was not given a game designation for Sunday’s matchup, which would indicate that he will be available for Buffalo this evening.
How long will Matt Milano be out?
Milano will not need to miss any time due to his condition, and should take the field with the Bills.
Bills LB depth chart
Milano is backed up by Dorian Williams and Edefuan Ulofoshio. Should Milano need to leave the game, Williams would likely be called upon before Ulofoshio.
3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Chiefs in the AFC championship
The Buffalo Bills will play the Kansas City Chiefs on the road at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC championship game this Sunday.
These teams clash while on hot streaks. The Bills have won 12 of their last 13 meaningful games while the Chiefs have won 20 of their last 21 meaningful games. Their lone loss over that time was to the Bills.
The Bills beat them 30-21 in Week 11 this year. Quarterback Josh Allen accounted for 317 total yards and a pair of touchdowns while the team converted on 9 of 15 third-down plays in the victory.
Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of interceptions in the loss, but the Chiefs have won the last three playoff games over the Bills and it will be tougher to force them into mistakes this time around. Kansas City are favored by 1.5 points at home.
To slay the dragon and advance to the Super Bowl, the Bills will need to execute their game plan.
Mahomes is good enough in the pocket that he can beat you even when everyone is covered. He’s great at buying an extra second or two and finding someone uncovered down the field, and in the playoffs, tight end Travis Kelce has often been that person.
The two have incredible rapport and always find open grass when things break down. It will take multiple defenders every pass play to shut them down.
The Bills defense will need to communicate purposefully and rapidly, especially in the middle of the field, where Kelce likes to roam. If there’s one man out of place, he’ll make you pay like he has in the past.
The good news for Buffalo is the middle of their defense is much healthier this postseason compared to last. During the 2023 playoffs, they were down both linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, this year they are both expected to be out there occupying the middle.
Keep feeding James Cook
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Handing the ball to James Cook might have been included in about ten weekly “keys to victory” this year. And it continues to prove effective under offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
The Bills went up against two of the best run defenses in their first two playoff matchups and were able to control the game on the ground. The Bills handed both the Denver Broncos (wild card) and Baltimore Ravens (divisional) the most rushing yards they’ve allowed this season.
The Bills have averaged 178.5 yards on the ground this postseason. This figure would have been good for third-most in the league during the regular season.
James Cook has been an explosive running back in the playoffs this year. Only 10% of his rushes during this year’s #NFLPlayoffs have resulted in a loss or no gain. pic.twitter.com/i3w7ZF1VUu
The Chiefs ranked ninth in defense rushing DVOA this year and eighth in rushing yards allowed per game. They’ve been a decent group, but haven’t stuffed the run like Baltimore or Denver.
Igniting Cook and the rushing game will open things up for the Bills’ passing game, especially in the middle of the field where the Chiefs have allowed the most yards to tight ends in the NFL this year (1,191).
Win matchups on the defensive line
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Getting to Mahomes and taking him down for a sack is easier said than done. But, getting consistent pressure could force errant passes or throwaways, which can make a big difference in the playoffs.
While there has been a lot of talk about the Chiefs rotating pieces on the offensive line this year and that they’ve struggled at times, Mahomes has a way of masking their offensive line’s deficiencies. They rank 16th in the NFL in sacks allowed this year (41), and if they had someone who couldn’t manipulate the pocket or make off-script plays, they’d be much higher on the list.
The Bills had 224 total pressures in the regular season, good for eighth in the NFL. They’ll need to mix things up at times by showing different fronts and blitzes, but the Bills also have some guys who can win their one-on-one matchup.
Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, Ed Oliver, AJ Epenesa, and others will need to capitalize on chances to get after Mahomes Sunday.
If they can force the Chiefs into unfavorable down-and-distances and make Mahomes uncomfortable in the pocket during those plays, it would go a long way toward their chances at making the Super Bowl.
#Bills linebacker Matt Milano is dealing with biceps and hamstring injuries. Here are the latest updates.
The Buffalo Bills may have to face the Kansas City Chiefs without veteran linebacker Matt Milano after he was listed on the team’s injury report this week.
Is Milano expected to be healthy for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game?
Matt Milano injury update
On Wednesday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott revealed that Milano was experiencing “hamstring soreness” which would affect his availability to practice at the start of the week.
As a result of his condition, Milano was a limited participant in Buffalo’s drills on Wednesday and Thursday.
How long will Matt Milano be out?
It remains unclear if Milano will be prepared for the Bills’ matchup against the Chiefs this weekend. However, he still has time to rally before gameday.
Bills LB depth chart
If Milano is unable to fill his typical starting role at weakside linebacker, Buffalo will likely rely on backups Dorian Williams and Edefuan Ulofoshio when the Bills travel to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.
Bills have a few names to watch on injury report ahead of Chiefs game
Unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills have a few names to watch on their injury report this week ahead of facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game.
Before the start of preparations for the contest on Wednesday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott noted three players that are important to keep in mind throughout the coming days. The trio are all from the defense.
Safety Taylor Rapp (hip) left the Bills’ 27-25 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round on Sunday and did not return. It appears that linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback Christian Benford were injured during the contest as well, however, the team did not announce in-game updates on them.
On Buffalo’s final injury report ahead of facing Baltimore had both Milano and Benford on it. The difference is that their current injury designations were not the reasons why.
At that time, Milano and Benford were listed as having bicep and back issues, respectively.
Now Milano is dealing with what was described as “hamstring soreness,” according to McDermott.
Meanwhile, Benford is in the concussion protocol.
The coach noted that Milano and Benford would both be limited in practice on Wednesday. Rapp was noted as the only player that would not practice at all.
Bills Wire will provide the latest injury updates from both teams ahead of the Sunday’s AFC title matchup.
Injury update: Bills defense will have reinforcements back vs. Jets
The Buffalo Bills defense will have some starters back in their lineup against the New York Jets in Week 17.
The Bills (12-3) welcome back linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback Rasul Douglas when the Jets (4-11) visit Highmark Stadium. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott announced those injury updates on Friday.
The Bills were without both players during last week’s 24-21 win over the New England Patriots.
Milano missed extensive time this year because of a bicep injury but added a groin problem to that list which is what kept him out in recent weeks. Douglas was dealing with a knee issue.
McDermott’s injury updates can be found in the clip below:
Causes for concern as the Bills take on the Patriots in Week 16
The Buffalo Bills will host the New England Patriots in Week 16 at Highmark Stadium.
The Bills (11-3) and Patriots (3-11) have trended in different directions this season. The Bills have won eight of their last nine games while the Patriots have lost five of their last six.
Even though Buffalo is favored to win the game, there are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.
Here are three causes for concern for the Bills against the Patriots in Week 16:
Question marks in the secondary
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What would make Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s day a bit easier on Sunday would be if the Bills are down members of their secondary. Safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp, along with cornerback Rasul Douglas, all missed Week 15’s win over the Detroit Lions.
Although the Bills won last week, they allowed almost 494 passing yards from Lions QB Jared Goff to go along with five touchdowns.
Douglas, Hamlin, and Rapp all are listed as questionable heading into Week 16. Buffalo’s linebackers are banged up a bit, too. Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, and Baylon Spector all are carrying the same designation.
Containing QB Drake Maye
USA Today Sports
The Bills have yet to face the rookie quarterback out of the University of North Carolina. Maye has been a bright spot on an otherwise dim Patriots season. He has shown poise and instincts as a young signal caller and he can beat you with both his arm and legs.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott has had success going against rookie quarterbacks in his career with an 8-3 record. Maye is one of the more challenging ones. We’ll see how the Bills game plan for him.
Overlooking an opponent
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The Bills are coming off a win over the Lions, whom many consider to be the best team in the NFL. Combine that with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year and the Bills have proven they can beat anyone.
What’s difficult is bringing the same intensity for a Week 16 matchup with the Patriots as you did in a “Super Bowl preview” type of game. The Bills’ discipline and execution will be tested by a division rival looking to play spoiler.
Bills vs. 49ers: Highlights from Wednesday’s practice
The Buffalo Bills (9-2) are moving on to their their Week 13 contest against the San Francisco 49ers (5-6).
Prior to that, preparations are underway.
Most weeks, the prep begins on Wednesday. Largely considered “Media Day” each week, cameras are allowed into the facility at One Bills Drive, including a quick portion at the start of that day’s workout.
After that, clips and images from the practice are shared to social media and a roundup of those as the Bills get ready to host the Niners can be found below:
RT Spencer Brown (ankle) participated during the media-viewing portion of Wednesday #Bills practice. Had a pretty heavy wrap/brace on his right ankle. Brown missed BUF’s matchup with Chiefs #BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/otLcG7xXOb
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:
Matt Milano was back at practice. We already know he won’t play Sunday. But based on how much he did in his first full practice, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back after the bye week for the 49ers game
#Bills LB Matt Milano practicing for the first time since the summer. His 21-day window to return from injured reserve is open, but he is not expected to play this week.#BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/Dy1uY8aYpR
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.
Coach McDermott: We will open the practice window for @MatthewMilanoo this week.
(@SalSports) 
Linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano 
