NFL Rumors: Bills' Matt Milano to Have Surgery on Biceps Injury, Out Indefinitely
August 15, 2024
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano is "out indefinitely" with a torn bicep that will necessitate surgery, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday.
Milano has hope of returning during the 2024 season, "possibly in December," per Schefter.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterESPN sources: Bills Pro-Bowl linebacker Matt Milano, who left Tuesday's practice injured, tore his bicep and now will be out indefinitely. Milano will undergo surgery on his torn bicep with the hope of trying to return later this season, possibly in December. <a href="https://t.co/hQDauRequk">pic.twitter.com/hQDauRequk</a>
Milano left Tuesday's practice early with an apparent left arm injury, per Alex Brasky of Bills Digest. The injury occurred during a tackling drill, per Brasky.
This marks the second straight campaign in which Milano has been limited by injury after the former All-Pro linebacker suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 5 of the 2023 season.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said during a press conference on Thursday that it was too early to know whether Milano will return this season.
"We've got to move forward and focus on solutions," McDermott said, per Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News.
Buffalo Bills @BuffaloBillsCoach McDermott: It's unfortunate news regarding Matt Milano's bicep injury. He's a resilient person and we're all here to support him. ❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BillsMafia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BillsMafia</a> <a href="https://t.co/MMNn6Z7mKL">pic.twitter.com/MMNn6Z7mKL</a>
Milano's injury will test the Bills' depth at linebacker, likely requiring 2023 third-rounder Dorian Williams to take on a larger role in his second season with the team.
The team can also lean on Terrel Bernard, who proved himself to be a capable starter in Milano's absence last season.
The franchise has improved its linebacker depth since finishing out the 2023 season without Milano, adding another former Pro Bowler in Deion Jones, while selecting linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio out of Washington in the fifth round of the 2024 draft.
Milano's absence is still sure to sting. He and Bernard only played four full games together before Milano's injury, and pairing them together for a full season would have been one of the highlights of the Bills' roster.
Milano recorded 99 tackles and 11 passes defensed in 15 games during his Pro Bowl campaign in 2022. He added 30 tackles and two passes defensed in 2023 prior to his injury.
Through seven seasons with the Bills Milano has recorded 39 passes defended, 39 quarterback hits and 488 tackles in 90 games. The 29-year-old has two years under team control remaining on his contract after the 2024 season.