The Buffalo Bills’ defense is once again facing a significant setback, as former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano has suffered a torn biceps and will be sidelined indefinitely, as confirmed by Bills coach Sean McDermott. Milano is set to undergo surgery with a possible late-season return in mind, as reported by Schefter.
“It was just a tackle drill. He was tackling on a bag, and he hit his arm,” McDermott explained. “We’re all human at the end of the day. Matt’s a heck of a football player, but if we back up, he’s also a tremendous young man, good head on his shoulders.”
This injury marks the second major setback for Milano in less than a year, as he had previously suffered a fractured leg in Week 5 of last season.
“When you know the person, you know it’s not going to beat or keep Matt Milano down,” McDermott emphasized. “This has been a tough period for him and for us. No one knows the work Matt put in to get back to where he was before this recent injury. That’s one of the hardest pills to swallow. We just saw him work his butt off, stay in Buffalo to get back from the leg injury, and now this happens. It’s unfortunate, but I know he’ll handle it well.”
Milano has been a pivotal part of McDermott’s defensive schemes since their arrival in Buffalo in 2017. He had a breakout season in 2022, earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
In the wake of Milano’s injury, Bobby Babich will be stepping in as the defensive coordinator, taking over from McDermott, who had been serving as the defensive play-caller in 2023. The Bills will need to regroup and adjust without one of their defensive stalwarts in Milano leading the way.
