The All-Pro linebacker opened up about what his actual injury was and what he’s been going through over the past 12 weeks on Injured Reserve
Matt Milano, a Buffalo Bills linebacker, shattered his leg in early October. Since then, the All-Pro, who began 2023 with 30 combined tackles, a forced fumble, and two interceptions in four and a half games before his injury, has been on the Injured Reserve list and has mostly vanished from public view. Not surprising considering Milano has been a man of few words since his arrival in the league in 2017.
What was odd about the injury was the paucity of information from the Bills as well.While the injury occurred on October 8 during the Bills’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, One Bills Drive did not indicate Milano was receiving surgery to treat a leg injury until a few days later. There were no further details provided, leading to much speculation.
But now, Milano has been seen around the team’s facilities, on the sidelines at the last two Bills’ games, and pictures of him in the team locker room have surfaced. And on Thursday, the All-Pro linebacker opened up about what his actual injury was and what he has been going through over the past 12 weeks.
According to The Buffalo News, Milano revealed that he had suffered a tibia fracture in his right leg, but the good news was that there was no ligament damage affecting his knee. The fracture occurred just below his knee and that it prevented him from being able to put any weight on the leg for eight weeks. Now, the 29-year-old linebacker is rehabilitating at the Bills facility in Orchard Park, NY.
Last week, head coach Sean McDermott told reporters that he didn’t expect Milano to be available to the team for the playoffs. While there had never been any indication that the seven-year NFL veteran would be available, fans had held out hope that he might return by the playoffs.
While Milano has been sidelined, fourth-year linebacker Tyrel Dodson and rookie Dorian Williams have held down the outside linebacker position, putting up a combined 111 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and five passes defended. The combination of Dodson and Williams has been solid enough for Buffalo, but getting Milano back next season will be a huge boost to the Bills’ defense. And, according to Milano, he expects to be back like nothing happened, saying on Thursday that he expects to be able to go through his normal offseason training routines.
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