Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott remains unsure whether former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano will be available for his team’s Week 13 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. He stated that the veteran defenseman, who has spent the first 12 weeks of the 2024 campaign on injured reserve with a biceps tear, is doubtful for this weekend’s game during a Friday morning appearance on radio station WGR550; that said, he sounded a little optimistic about his status, saying the team is simply taking the process one day at a time and making sure it ticks all its boxes.

Milan has been a full participant in the week’s traininghis first full week of uncompromising sessions in over a year. The dynamic defender — who, when healthy, is one of the league’s most impactful linebackers — hasn’t played in a game since Oct. 8, 2023, when he suffered a fractured tibia in Buffalo’s Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He recuperated for the rest of the campaign before returning in training camp, only to suffer a bicep tear in mid-August.

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Buffalo’s brass had long expressed optimism that Milano would return this season, and that hope proved fruitful earlier this month when the team opened its 21-day practice window. While his eligibility against San Francisco remains to be seen, his participation in this week’s practices is an encouraging sign.

It’s been over a year since fans have seen Milano participate in game action, so it’s perhaps easy to forget how dynamic a defender the former Pro Bowler is when available; he’s tallied 488 tackles, 39 pass breakups and 10 interceptions in his seven pro seasons, a stat line that’s a testament to his seemingly innate nose for the football. Milano will replace second baseman Dorian Williams in the starting lineup upon his return, although McDermott has recently said the veteran will be on a first pitch count. If the team does not elevate Milano to the active roster before Week 13, it has until Dec. 4 to do so.

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