Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that linebacker Matt Milano is dealing with another setback. According to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, Milano has a partially torn pectoral muscle and is expected to miss time this season. He has already sat out the last three games and will remain unavailable as Buffalo prepares for a short-week matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. With Milano sidelined, the team is expected to turn to backup linebacker Dorian Williams.
Milano suffered the injury during the second half of Buffalo’s 30-10 win over the New York Jets. He was forced to exit the game, with Williams stepping in alongside Terrel Bernard. Williams is no stranger to this role, as he filled in last season for 11 games when Milano was out with another injury. This past offseason, the Bills restructured Milano’s contract, lowering his salary by $3 million due to his frequent absences.
The Bills are once again facing questions about defensive depth. Last year, Bernard missed time with a similar injury, and now Milano’s status creates another challenge for the linebacker group. Early signs indicate that he will not play against Miami this week.
Fortunately for Buffalo, the roster is built to withstand these situations. General manager Brandon Beane has emphasized depth in recent years, and Williams has proven to be a capable replacement. In 2024, he led the team in tackles with 117 while starting in place of Milano. That experience will be crucial as he steps back into the lineup.
While Milano’s absence is a blow to the Bills’ defense, the team has confidence in Williams’ ability to handle the job. Buffalo’s defense will need to rely on that depth as they continue their push through the early part of the season without one of their top playmakers.
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