Matt Milano, Taron Johnson Cleared To Face The Chiefs
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, hamstring) and cornerback Taron Johnson (neck, shoulder) have both been cleared from the final injury report on Friday and will be active against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday for the AFC Championship tilt. In addition offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (illness) will play. The 30-year-old Milano was an All-Pro in 2022 but played in only five games in 2023 due to injury and then played in just four regular-season games in 2024. However, he's been close to an every-down player in the team's two postseason games and will be a key defender for Buffalo as the Bills look to get over the hump in the playoffs against KC and punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. Having Johnson in the secondary will also be big with safety Taylor Rapp (back, hip) ruled out. Buffalo's defense is one of the more attractive fantasy plays this weekend against a Chiefs offense that is beatable.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps/hamstring) remained limited during Thursday's practice session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during Friday's final session, but seeing him remain a limited participant is a positive sign. Last weekend, during their victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the 30-year-old tallied three tackles (one solo). In their wild-card victory over the Denver Broncos, Milano logged five tackles with one sack. Milano missed the first 11 weeks of the season due to a torn biceps he suffered during training camp. However, since he returned, he has operated in his typical starting role in the Buffalo defense. If Milano were to miss Sunday's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dorian Williams should see an increase in playing time.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's team practice. The eighth-year pro spent the early portion of the season dealing with a bicep injury, but the hamstring issue is new for him. However, per Alaina Getzenberg of the team, head coach Sean McDermott has been told that Milano is just dealing with soreness and is unsure whether or not it's a traditional injury at this time. The 30-year-old seemingly sustained the ailment in Buffalo's victory over the Baltimore Ravens, though when it occurred is unclear as he played 51 defensive snaps (86%). For now, it appears Milano won't be in danger of missing this Sunday's bout with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, he'll be one to monitor over the next 48 hours. Teammate Dorian Williams would be in line for more snaps if the veteran could not play.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, groin) is inactive for Sunday's divisional tilt against the New England Patriots. Milano suffered a groin injury during last weekend's victory in Detroit. Milano made his season debut in Week 13 due to a bicep strain that kept him out during the first 12 games of the season. Across his first three games of the season, Milano averaged 3.7 tackles per game with one fumble recovery. Fantasy managers should expect Dorian Williams to have an increased role this afternoon.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (groin) is questionable to return on Sunday against the Lions. The 30-year-old injured his groin, so he'll finish with three tackles in Week 15 if he can't get back on the field. The Bills have a comfortable lead. But with the Lions working their way back, Buffalo could certainly use him back on the defensive side of the ball. If Milano is done, Baylon Spector could see more work. However, Milano is tough to replace.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps) has been activated from Injured Reserve on Saturday. Milano is set to make his season debut against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. This will be his first time taking the field in over a year. He has been a full participant in practice all week, but it remains uncertain if Milano will be on a snap count during his first game back. Regardless, Milano will be an upgrade for this defensive unit that is already playing surprisingly well this season. Fantasy managers looking for a streaming option for this weekend might want to consider using the Bills.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on WGR550 on Friday that linebacker Matt Milano (biceps) will be questionable to play in Week 13 against the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. The Bills have until Saturday at 4 pm ET to activate Milano from Injured Reserve if they feel he's healthy enough to play this weekend. The Bills are taking it day to day with Milano, who has yet to play in 2024. The 30-year-old linebacker was able to practice in full on both Wednesday and Thursday, so he's certainly trending in the right direction after Buffalo opened his 21-day practice window to return from IR back on Nov. 13. Given how much time Milano has missed, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him on some sort of snap count if he's active on Sunday night. The former fifth-rounder in 2017 out of Boston College was an All-Pro in 2022, so he could provide a big boost to the Bills' defense down the stretch.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. The Bills opened Milano's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday as he ramps up from a torn biceps that he suffered back in training camp on Aug. 15. The 30-year-old linebacker will need more time to recover and is unlikely to be officially activated from IR in order to play in Week 11 against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, but it's a positive development for Buffalo's defense that he's back on the practice field. Milano was a first-team All-Pro just two years ago, but a leg injury limited his effectiveness and availability in 2023, as he played in just five games and finished with 30 tackles (18 solo), no sacks and two interceptions. The Bills will be hoping Milano can return to his All-Pro level of play down the stretch in 2024.
Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl linebacker Matt Milano (bicep) left Tuesday's training camp practice with a torn bicep and is out indefinitely, according to sources. Milano will undergo surgery on his torn bicep with the hope of trying to return later this season, possibly in December. It marks the second straight year that he has suffered a significant injury, as last year he fractured his leg in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missed the rest of the season. Buffalo's defense will still be a high-priority target in fantasy drafts, but the 30-year-old's injury is a significant blow before the start of the 2024 season. The former fifth-rounder in 2017 out of Boston College was a first-team All-Pro in 2022, when he had 99 tackles (72 solo), 1.5 sacks and a career-high-tying three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). Fantasy managers in IDP formats can avoid him now.
Matt Milano Takes Part In First Training Camp Practice
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (leg) worked into offseason practices this spring for the first time since his season-ending leg injury early last season and took nearly a full share of first-team repetitions in team drills next to Terrel Bernard in the first training camp practice this week. The Bills said they are going to have a plan so that Milano doesn't put too much on his plate too soon, and there may even b some reps or whole practices off this summer. But the 29-year-old is way ahead of players like Tre'Davious White in 2022 or Von Miller last year this point in camp. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his leg, the Bills should have one of the best defenders to open the 2024 regular season. The former fifth-rounder in 2017 out of Boston College was a Pro Bowler in 2022, when he had 99 tackles (72 solo), 1.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, seven QB hits and three picks (one for a TD) in 15 starts.