Bills AFC East Hopes Take Damper With Matt Milano Injury

Matt Milano only played for the Buffalo Bills in five games last season before he was lost to the year because of an injury. The team was still able to rally and win the AFC East for a fourth straight season, though.

Just because Buffalo showed the ability to replace a top linebacker like Milano one year doesn't mean they'll be able to do it again this year.

It's why Milano's biceps injury announced Thursday is a crushing blow to a new-look Bills defense that is trying to find itself before the start of the 2024 season.

Remember, despite having no Milano, the Bills did have Jordan Phillips, Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde all on the roster to provide veteran leadership.

None of those players are on the team in 2024 now.

Buffalo already came into a new season with the understanding that they would need to keep their stars relatively healthy to compete in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Tyreek Hill involved.

Related: What's Bills Offense Need to Improve in 2024?

Just one practice later, though, and the Bills have lost arguably their best defensive player on the roster - not a good sign overall.

Buffalo may have gotten away with it last season, but they simply don't have the horses or stars to really make the same kind of jump going into this season without Milano.