Bills’ Sean McDermott gives update on Matt Milano’s chances to play vs. 49ers
Orchard Park, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills made a few roster moves on Wednesday including designating linebackers Matt Milano and Tyrel Dodson to return to practice, opening their three-week window while working their way back off injured reserve.
Milano could return as early as Monday night when the Bills travel to Arizona to play the San Francisco 49ers. But Buffalo has three weeks to determine whether Milano can return to the active roster while keeping him on injured reserve.
Bills coach Sean McDermott said today that “we’ll see” after a few days of practice if Milano will be ready to return against the 49ers.
“We just gotta take it one day at a time. He’s been out a number of weeks,” McDermott said. “I’m really encouraged by the way he’s worked and the work he’s put in with our medical team to get back. Today will be a good look to see where he is really. How he comes back tomorrow will be another tell for us also.”
Milano has missed the last month and three straight games with a partially torn pec muscle. He tried to come back and play on a pitch count earlier in the season but the Bills opted to put him on IR to help him recover further.
In Milano’s place, veteran linebacker A.J. Klein has stepped in and played at a high level the past three games. He’s led the Bills in sacks (4.5) over that stretch and had a game-high 14 tackles in last week’s 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Dodson has been out since the Kansas City game with a hamstring injury. The Bills announced Wednesday that they’ve signed receiver Jake Kumerow to their active roster and offensive lineman Marquel Harrell to their practice squad. Kumerow has been playing special teams for the Bills over the past few days and Harrell was with the team during training camp.
The Bills are getting healthier with calendar now flipped to December. McDermott said it’s been a process but likes where the team is at health wise.
“It’s been a journey like it is for every team. Every team has injuries,” McDermott said. “It seems like every team has dealt with Covid in some way, shape or form. Real proud of the guys and our medical team. The guys that are out are busting their tails to get back to help us, which is important.”
Bills quarterback Josh Allen left the game against the Chargers for one play after defensive end Joey Bosa rolled up on his leg. When he came out after halftime he had a brace on his knee underneath his pants. He may appear on the Bills’ first injury report so that may be something to watch this week.
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said on Monday that he thinks Allen was doing all right.
“Normal stuff after a game,” he said “We’ll see how the week goes on. That’s usually with all of the players that come after a physical game.”
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