Tag: Matt Milano

Bills’ Dorian Williams on benching: ‘Have to do what they feel is best’

#Bills LB Dorian Williams is taking being benched in stride & what Sean McDermott said:

The Buffalo Bills have had a slew of injuries during the month of October which has put the spotlight on a few new faces, including rookie linebacker Dorian Williams.

The Bills’ injured reserve list has seen several players added to it such as linebacker Matt Milano (leg).

Bills’ third-round rookie linebacker Dorian Williams took on the role that Milano excelled in prior to his injury.

After Bills coach Sean McDermott assumed defensive coordinator duties the Tulane product has been trying to make the necessary jump to contribute. It made sense, as Williams was expected to be an instant impact player for Buffalo when he was drafted.

But the jump from college to the pros is tough, especially for defenders.

McDermott benched Williams during their 29-25 loss against the New England Patriots in Week 7. It was the second time Williams lost snaps to Tyrel Dodson, however, this time it was for the majority of the game.

In true McDermott form, he has done the expected since.

Following Pats loss, he expressed confidence in Williams. Even so, on Tuesday McDermott kept his secrets as usual.

When asked who would start between Williams and Dodson, the coach said “we’ll see.”

That we will, as the this position will catch the attention of many in Buffalo when the Bills defense take their first snap of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) on Thursday.

Regardless of the decision, Williams is taking it all in stride. He’s going to try and learn and move forward, which is the best choice he can make as such a young player.

“It’s definitely tough,” Williams said. “I know it’s all out of love–all the coaches want the best for me– but I mean, they have to do what they feel is best to put the team in a position to win.”

For more from Williams, see the attached WROC-TV clip below:

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Behind Enemy Lines: Week 6 Q&A with Bills Wire

With a Week 6 matchup between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Bills Wire.

The New York Giants (1-4) and Buffalo Bills (3-2) will square off on Sunday night in a Week 6 matchup at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

The Giants opened the week as 14.5-point road underdogs and that’s where the line remains as of this writing.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Bills Wire managing editor Nick Wojton.

Bills vs. Giants: 8 things to watch for during Week 6’s matchup

#Bills vs. #Giants: 8 things to watch for during Week 6’s matchup:

The Buffalo Bills (3-2) continue their regular season journey at home against the New York Giants (1-4) in Week 6.

Once the battle arrives, there will be a few particular things to keep in mind.

Here are eight things to watch for during Sunday’s Bills-Giants matchup:

Buffalo Bills sign AJ Klein, Andrew Brown

#Bills sign AJ Klein, Andrew Brown to 53-man roster:

A few spaces opened up on the Buffalo Bills roster and they were quickly filled.

The team announced that linebacker Matt Milano (knee/leg) and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (pectoral) have been placed on injured reserve. Joining the Bills will be linebacker AJ Klein and defensive tackle Andrew Brown.

Klein, 32, has had multiple stints between the Bills roster and practice squad. Most recently, he was on the PS and has now been added to the roster to fill a need without Milano.

Klein was in Buffalo last season and re-signed via a one-year deal this. He has started in 82 games and played in 144 throughout his 11-year career.

Brown, 27, is new. He was a fifth-round choice of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 out of Virginia and has played in 28 career games. He most recently was with the Los Angeles Chargers. Brown has 19 tackles and one sack in his career.

Ironically enough, he was selected with a draft pick originally owned by the Bills. It was sent to Cincy in the 2018 trade centering around Buffalo offensive lineman Cordy Glenn.

The Bills hosted Brown on a free-agent visit this week prior to signing him. Brown has signed to the practice squad.

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Giants vs. Bills: 5 things to know about Week 6

The New York Giants and Buffalo Bills square off on Sunday night in Week 6, so here are five things fans should know.

The New York Giants (1-4) shuffle off to Western New York to face the Buffalo Bills (3-2) at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park for yet another nationally televised game this Sunday night.

This will be the Giants’ fourth prime-time game in the first six weeks of the 2023 regular season. They have been outscored, 94-15, in prime time so far.

Here are five more things to know before Sunday night’s game.

Bills place Matt Milano, DaQuan Jones on injured reserve

#Bills place Matt Milano, DaQuan Jones on injured reserve:

Linebacker Matt Milano and DaQuan Jones have been placed on the Buffalo Bills’ injured reserve list.

As expected, Milano (knee) and Jones (pectoral) have been moved off the team’s 53-man roster following injury.

At this time, it’s unclear if their seasons are over. Per Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott, both had surgery on their respective injuries they sustained on Sunday in the team’s 25-20 loss to the Jaguars in Week 5.

Milano appeared to be rolled up on by players near a pileup. He was eventually carted off the field in London. Jones went to tackle Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence and was hurt.

McDermott indicated the Bills (3-2) would be without both Milano and Jones for an extended period. However, he fell short of saying their seasons are over.

Depending on how their respective recoveries go, McDermott left the option on the table for both.

A small update on Wednesday from ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated both of their seasons are “likely” over. Buffalo does have the option to designate both to return later on in 2023, but time will tell on both.

In five games this year, Milano, 29,  recorded two interceptions, a forced fumble, 30 tackles, including one for loss. Jones, 31, had 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.

Pro Football Focus held both in high regard, too. Milano graded as the outlet’s 18th best linebacker in the NFL (73.0), and Jones was way up at third overall (90.2) in terms of interior defenders.

Bills Wire will continue to provide updates as information is made available.

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Bills’ Sean McDermott hints defense could see changes without Matt Milano

#Bills’ Sean McDermott hints defense could see changes without Matt Milano:

Without Matt Milano, most would expect the Bills defense is going to look a bit different. Not only is a supreme talent out of the lineup, some inexperienced ones are in his place.

Milano went down with a knee/leg injury against the Jaguars, which will keep him sidelined for an extended period. A mix of rookie Dorain Williams and Tyrel Dodson replace Milano.

With game planning now underway for the Giants post 25-20 loss to the Jaguars, head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged differences were on the way.

“You always have to be sensitive to the players you have out there,” McDermott said.

Even in now taking on more responsibility, Dodson knows it could be difficult for him and Williams to be Milano. They really can’t be him.

“Next man up. You know, obviously it sucks,” Dodson told the Buffalo News. “Linebacker room, we tried to play for him. He covers so much ground, makes so many plays, so we’ll go back in the film room and see how we can make up for Lano (Milano).”

For McDermott’s full futurecasting on life without Milano, see the attached News 8 clip below:

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Bills’ Sean McDermott: Matt Milano, DaQuan Jones need surgery, timetables unclear

#Bills’ Sean McDermott: Matt Milano, DaQuan Jones need surgery, timetables updated:

The injury updates have come in for Matt Milano and DaQuan Jones.

They might not be season-ending just yet, but it’s not good news either.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said both players need surgery and both will be out long-term. The only question is whether the injuries will be season-ending.

There still is hope both could be back by the end of the year. That’s to be determined.

“Both are going to be out,” McDermott said. “Matt has a leg injury that requires surgery, and DaQuan has a pec (injury) that requires surgery.”

Milano suffered his knee/leg injury in the first half of the 25-20 loss to the Jaguars in London. Shortly after, Jones went down with a pectoral issue. Both left the contest and did not return.

McDermott’s full breakdown can be found in the Bills Live clip below:

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Bills players rip ‘terrible’ turf after injury-filled game vs. Jaguars

The Jaguars’ Walker Little and Zay Jones were among the players injured Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars saw several players go down with injuries during their Week 5 game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little and wide receiver Zay Jones were among those players, as both had MRIs on Monday to assess the severity of knee injures suffered Sunday.

According to some Bills players, many of those injuries were a consequence of the playing surface in London. Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson, who was injured in the third quarter but eventually returned to the game, called the turf “terrible” when asked about the field by The Athletic’s Tim Graham.

“Take that turf out, especially that one,” Johnson told Graham. “I’d rather play on grass. I’m sure 90 to 100 percent of players in the NFL would rather play on grass. I don’t know why we’re playing on stuff like that.

“There were injuries on the field today, some really, really bad. I just feel like the turf has something to do with it.”

Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins, who was also injured Sunday but returned to the game, only described the turf as “weird.”

The most significant loss for the Bills was linebacker Matt Milano, who was injured on the same play as Little. While Buffalo hasn’t provided an official prognosis for Milano, he reportedly suffered a fractured leg along with knee damage that could be season ending.

Earlier this week, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said the grass in London games hasn’t been much better. He described it as “a little bit slicker” and told reporters that it’s “probably turf I prefer” when playing in the United Kingdom.

Jacksonville hasn’t yet revealed the severity of the injuries suffered by Little and Jones.

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