Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano is facing another serious injury setback. Head coach Sean McDermott announced that the Pro Bowl player has torn his bicep during Tuesday’s practice and will need surgery, which will leave him unavailable for an undetermined period.
McDermott referred to the injury as an “unfortunate situation,” explaining that it occurred during a bag tackling drill.
“Matt’s a strong, young man,” McDermott stated. “I know he’ll manage this. It’s definitely tough, especially after the year he had. The good news is he has a supportive family, teammates, and our coaching staff rallying behind him.”
“He’s resilient, and we need to be resilient as well. We have to focus on moving forward and finding solutions.”
McDermott mentioned that it’s too early to determine if Milano will return this season. Typically, a bicep tear recovery may allow for a return by December at the earliest, if at all, in time for a playoff push.
This injury marks the second consecutive season impacted by injuries for Milano. Last year, he fractured his leg in Week 5, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2018, he has not completed a full regular season.
This setback is a significant blow for the Bills, who were relying on Milano to lead a restructured defense after parting ways with several key veterans in the offseason. Last season, the effectiveness of McDermott’s defense dipped notably after Milano was injured. Now, second-year linebacker Dorian Williams will be tasked with stepping in for the former All-Pro.
In March 2023, the Bills signed Milano to a two-year extension. However, his injury struggles have drawn parallels to former Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee, whose career was heavily affected by injuries. The hope remains that Milano can overcome this latest adversity and enjoy a successful finish to his career.