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Bills Insider Dishes on ‘Secrecy’ Surrounding Matt Milano’s Injury
The Buffalo Bills lost a key part of their defense when linebacker Matt Milano fractured his leg during their 25-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.
Milano, who signed a two-year, $28.3 million extension in March, is one of the best defensive players not just in Buffalo, but in the entire league. He went down after colliding with teammate, Leonard Floyd, and Jaguars offensive tackle Walker Little.
While NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed on October 8 that Milano would require what’s expected to be season-ending surgery, the Bills have not ruled out the All-Pro
The Buffalo News’ Jay Skurksi addressed the mystery surrounding Milano’s status in his mailbag column on Sunday, November 5.
Because the Bills “haven’t officially said Milano’s season is over, “there is at least some hope” he could return at some point. Skurski wrote, “With Milano, the question of just how much damage was done to his knee in addition to the broken leg he suffered has yet to be answered. If he tore his ACL, forget it, he’s done for the year.
“The Bills haven’t said that, though. Why they’re treating it with such secrecy is a bit of a mystery – welcome to the world of covering the NFL – but the longer that goes on, the more hope builds that he might be able to return at some point.”
Bills head coach Sean McDermott struggled to define the 29-year-old’s injury while speaking to reporters on October 24, “It was more complicated, or from my end, medically — different terms that I’m not really familiar with. So, can we just call it like NHL does… lower leg?”
McDermott mentioned that Milano was “back around” the facility, suggesting he underwent surgery, but didn’t provide an updated return timetable. Bills general manager Brandon Beane said during a press conference on November 1 that Milano was “here trying to rehab,” but could not provide a “definitive” update.
Last season, Milano recorded 99 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions, two fumbles recovered, 1.5 sacks, and a pick-six. Thus far this season, Milano recorded two interceptions, two passes defensed, and 15 total tackles.
