ORCHARD PARK — For the first time since suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 5 last season, linebacker Matt Milano was back in a jersey and helmet.
Throughout voluntary minicamp, Milano was seen working on agility drills off to the side, but didn’t partake in any individual drills and did not suit up. McDermott initially said the Bills hope to have him ready by training camp, and he took a big step Tuesday.
Milano did not participate in any team portions of practice, but he went through individual drills in full. McDermott indicated that if it went well, Milano would continue to build, but he didn’t specify what that meant for Wednesday’s practice.
“He’ll continue to build through the break that we’re going to go on,” McDermott said. “And then hopefully in training camp, he’s at a spot where when we open up, he’s available. It’s just a matter of putting it one day at a time and trying to put practices back to back. Don’t know yet on that and we’ll just have to see.”
Milano has earned a reputation for his instincts, which earned him All-Pro honors for the first time in his career in 2022. After a five-year partnership with Tremaine Edmunds, the Bills were hoping Milano could help bring Terrel Bernard along during his first season as the starting middle linebacker a year ago.
Bernard ultimately fared just fine, although he had two interceptions, two sacks and two fumble recoveries in less than five games with Milano in the lineup. The Bills lost two of their top traffic cops in the back seven in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, so bringing Milano — now one of three players left from McDermott’s first season — back into the mix should give the defense a boost immediately.
“I think just an added sense of confidence,” Bernard said. “Before the snap, when we’re communicating with each other, he’s saying the communication before I even get it out. Just little things here and there, talking about the splits, about situational ball, like what’s coming, what the offense is presenting to us. Me and him have a really tight connection, and I think, like I said earlier, we see things the same way.”
The Bills weren’t able to add many big names in free agency, but getting Milano back might be the best acquisition the defense could have if he can stay healthy. Milano will turn 30 years old during the first week of training camp, but he hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year in 2017.
But when Milano is on the field, his impact is noticeable. In 2022, the Bills gave up the fourth-fewest yards to tight ends and were the only team in the NFL not to give up a touchdown to a tight end, while they ranked first in receiving yards allowed to running backs.
Last season, the Bills were still among the leaders in yards allowed to tight ends, but among the worst in yards allowed to running backs. Buffalo also dropped from 14th to 28th in yards per carry.
Before getting injured, Milano made 30 tackles and two interceptions. With Milano in the lineup, the Bills allowed 7.6 receptions for 67.2 yards per game to running backs and tight ends, compared to 10 catches for 86.9 without him.
Buffalo struggled for most of the year to find his replacement, with Tyrel Dodson getting time on running downs and Poyer dropping down to linebacker on passing downs. Then, of course, the Bills were ravaged by injuries at linebacker during the playoffs, playing without Bernard and Milano against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“You never really look at it like that honestly, but we’ve had conversations about what we think we could do, and who we think we could be and how we can work with each other and work off of each other,” Bernard said. “And you have to go out there and do the work, and make it happen, but we’re definitely excited to be able to work together and see what we can do together.”
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Along with Milano, right tackle Spencer Brown and safety Mike Edwards were limited during practice. Edwards wore a helmet during individual drills after watching all of voluntary minicamp due to offseason shoulder surgery.
Linebackers Nicholas Morrow, Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio and Dorian Williams did not practice, nor did running backs Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam and Ty Johnson. Cornerback Christian Benford was the only absence and it was excused due to a personal matter.