Breaking: Bills HC Gives Key Update on $44 Million Star’s Return

Bills Head Coach Provides Key Update on $44 Million Star’s Injury Return

After Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane caused some concern among fans with a vague update on injured linebacker Matt Milano last month, head coach Sean McDermott has now offered more clarity on when Milano might return to action.

Milano sustained a fractured leg in October, ending his season prematurely. In April, Beane provided an update during the team’s voluntary workouts but raised further questions by stating Milano was “still working through his deal” without elaborating on the injury’s specifics.

This week, McDermott provided a clearer timeline while noting Milano would need additional time to fully recover. Matt Milano’s Rehab ‘On Schedule’ During the team’s OTAs on May 21, McDermott informed reporters that Milano has been diligently rehabbing and is on track with his recovery. Although McDermott did not specify an exact return date, he suggested Milano’s return might not be until later in the summer.

“The word I’ve gotten from our training staff is that he’s on schedule,” McDermott said via the team’s official website. “Matt’s here every day. I can tell you that he’s working hard. It’s probably going to be closer to training camp until we see him out there, maybe some drill work before that, maybe not. It’ll just be how he continues to progress at this point.”

The team had already faced scrutiny for not fully disclosing the extent of Milano’s injury, with Jay Skurksi of the Buffalo News noting in November that the team had withheld information on potential additional damage beyond the leg fracture. Skurksi speculated that if Milano had suffered ligament damage, his recovery could take much longer than the fracture alone.

“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,” Skurksi wrote. “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.” Milano, who signed a $44 million contract extension in 2021 and extended it by another two years in 2023, was having a career-best season before his injury, recording 30 total tackles and two interceptions. Bills Add Depth at Linebacker Although McDermott’s timeline suggests Milano could be ready for the season’s start, the Bills have added depth as a precaution. The team signed linebacker Deion Jones to a one-year contract, a move seen as a backup plan in case Milano isn’t fully recovered by the season opener.

Jones had a productive 2023 season with the Carolina Panthers, recording 35 total tackles, six passes defended, one sack, and one interception.

Additionally, the Bills bolstered their linebacking unit by drafting Edefuan Ulofoshio in the fifth round.