ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Having withstood injuries on defense during a 2-0 start, the Bills might need to replace another key player.
Linebacker Matt Milano did not practice Monday after hurting his pectoral muscle in Buffalo’s 30-10 victory against the New York Jets, and his status for Thursday night’s game at home against the Miami Dolphins is uncertain, coach Sean McDermott said.
Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, the most impactful defender for the Bills in the 41-40 win against the Baltimore Ravens to open the season, also did not practice Monday because of an ankle injury sustained during practice last week that caused Oliver to miss the game against the Jets.
Starting defensive back Taron Johnson (quadriceps) and his primary backup Cam Lewis (ankle) were both limited in the first practice of the short preparation week. The Bills did get starting cornerback Tre’Davious White (groin) back in the lineup Sunday, and rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock (shoulder) has returned to practice in full after being inactive for the first two games.
Milano has missed 25 games over the past two seasons since becoming an All-Pro in 2022. He broke his leg and tore knee ligaments in the fifth game of the following season and tore his biceps tendon last year during training camp.
McDermott said the Bills “don’t know yet” if Milano’s current injury will sideline him for a length of time.
“He’s one of our better players, and so we’ll see where it goes,” McDermott said. “But yeah, I feel bad for him. He works extremely hard. You guys know him. He’s here quite a bit and he puts a lot of time into it and it means a lot to him.”
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.