Matt Milano‘s leg injury was expected to keep him off the practice field until training camp, but the veteran linebacker was able to put in some work during this week’s minicamp. Coach Sean McDermott told reporters (including Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com) that Milano was a limited participant at last week’s practice.
While Milano isn’t all the way back to full strength, this is still an encouraging update. McDermott noted that Milano would spend most of minicamp doing individual work. The linebacker is officially considered “day-to-day,” and there’s hope he’ll be a full participant by the time training camp kicks off. Even then, McDermott cautioned that the team may bring the veteran along slowly as he returns from a broken leg.
“One day at a time,” McDermott said (via Matthew Fairburn and Tim Graham of The Athletic), “and hopefully tomorrow, if overnight things stay managed, then we’ll continue to build through the break that we’re going to go on. Then, hopefully in training camp, he’s at a spot where, when we open up, he’s available. It’s just a matter of … trying to put practices back to back”
We heard previously that Milano was on schedule with his recovery but it was “probably going to be more closer to training camp until” he sees the field again. The fact that the linebacker is getting a head start could only be seen as a positive for the Bills.
Milano suffered a broken leg during Buffalo’s trip to London last October. Prior to that, the seven-year veteran had collected 30 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions in five games. This followed a standout 2022 campaign where Milano earned a first-team All-Pro nod after finishing with 99 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defended.
With Milano temporarily absent from practices, the Bills could have given the likes of Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, and rookie fifth-round pick Edefuan Ulofoshio more reps, but that trio is currently sidelined with their own injuries (per The Athletic).