The Buffalo Bills will soon receive a significant boost on defence as Pro Bowler Matt Milano prepares to return to the field, but one source says the team may want some short-term assistance in the interim.

The Bills announced this week that Milano’s three-week return window from injured reserve has opened, allowing the veteran linebacker to resume practice. While Milano will not be ready to play right away, he is expected to return shortly after the bye week.

With the Bills still dealing with linebacker injuries, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine speculated the team should turn to another AFC practice squad for assistance.

Bills Could Sign Veteran From Denver Broncos

Ballentine stated that the team’s depth at linebacker “has been a concern all season,” noting that Baylon Spector was just placed on injured reserve with a calf ailment.

“The Bills have Dorian Williams, Terrel Bernard and Nicholas Morrow, but they are one more injury away from being in serious trouble in the middle of the defence,” said Ballentine.

While the team awaits Milano’s return to the field, Ballentine advised acquiring veteran Kwon Alexander from the Denver Broncos.

“Meanwhile, veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander is currently on the Denver Broncos practice squad,” according to Ballentine. “They have called him up several times this season. He’s performed well when his number has been called, but the Broncos are still at risk of losing him because he has not been signed to their active roster.

Alexander has a lot of experience, having played 107 games in 10 NFL seasons. Though he has played a smaller role in the last two seasons, participating in nine games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 and two for the Denver Broncos this season, Alexander might give valuable depth to the Bills’ injured defence.

 

Good sign for Matt Milano.

With Milano’s recovery on the horizon, the Bills may be able to keep their current linebacking corps together. He has been out since training camp with a torn pectoral muscle, but he may be able to return after this Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

WKBW reporter Matt Bove in Buffalo noticed that Milano looked good at practice this week.

“Matt Milano was back at practice,” Bove stated in a post on X. “We already know he will not play Sunday. But based on how much he performed in his first full practice, I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns after the bye week for the 49ers game.”

Milano has had a difficult road to return, having missed the majority of the 2023 season after sustaining a shattered leg in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. This week, Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Milano, saying he worked hard to get back on the field.

“You talk about a guy that’s been on a journey, right?” McDermott told SI.com. “After two years of going through what he has, it’s incredible to see his resilience, right? He’s extremely resilient and persistent. He has a goal and has worked hard to get back to where he is. “This will be his first practice in quite some time.”