Matt Milano injury update: Bills LB to undergo surgery after tearing biceps in practice

The 2024 season has already been a slog for the Bills, who lost leading wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis as well as star safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde during the offseason. The injury bug added to their concerns this week, hitting the franchise right where it hurts: defense.

Star linebacker Matt Milano suffered a torn biceps during Tuesday's practice, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He's out indefinitely, coach Sean McDermott announced Thursday.

Milano, 30, is arguably Buffalo's most important defender, garnering an All-Pro first team selection in 2022 after recording 99 tackles, three interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. He played in just five games in 2023, breaking his leg while playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — and its controversial turf — during Week 5.

"It's an unfortunate situation, right," McDermott said, per ESPN . "Matt's a strong young man. I know he's going to handle this. Certainly tough, especially coming off of the year he came off of already."

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Here is what you need to know on Milano's latest setback.

Matt Milano injury update

Milano tore his biceps muscle during Tuesday's practice, suffering the malady during individual drills. The Boston College alum collided with the tackling bag, hitting his arm on the apparatus' surface and "maybe on somebody's leg just a little bit," per McDermott. Medical personnel immediately tended to his wounds, with Milano being held out for the rest of the practice as his employers attempted to gain clarity on the nature of his injury.

McDermott confirmed that Milano is out indefinitely with the injury. He did note that Milano is planning to undergo surgery for the ailment in the hopes of returning to the field come December.

Prior to his latest affliction, Milano was slowly but surely getting himself up to speed with the team. He was a full participant in the Bills' training camp, but the franchise scheduled planned off days to keep him fresh as he worked his way back to full health.

The Bills will now turn to their motley crew of linebackers to fill Milano's void. Dorian Williams is expected to take Milano's place at the outside linebacker, while 2022 third-round pick Terrel Bernard will be tasked with added leadership responsibilities in the middle of the pack. McDermott stressed they would not be the only ones asked to step up in Milano's absence.

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"It's not just one person's job to fill the void or try and fill the void left by Matt," McDermott said. "You're never going to replace a player like Matt or Matt's influence, but now it's time for our team to move forward in a resilient manner and pick each other up, and guys like Dorian have to step up."

Milano is one of the sport's best coverage linebackers. Since making his professional debut in 2017, Milano has posted the lowest yards per target, completion percentage, and passer rating as the nearest defender in coverage among linebackers. Last season, Buffalo's defense looked far more porous without Milano's glimmering presence, surrendering 3.3 more points per game in contests he was unable to take part in.

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Torn biceps recovery time

A torn biceps muscle can take between 4-9 months to heal completely, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. The actual timeline for recovery is based on the nature of the tear that a person suffers. If the biceps tendon is completely torn, recovery will take longer, whereas if the tendon is only partially torn, patients can expect to return to full health in 4-6 months, assuming that necessary precautions are taken throughout the process.

It's unclear what type of tear Milano suffered. However, the timetable for his potential return — as laid out by McDermott — does appear to resemble that of a person who suffered a partial tear, instead of a complete one.

Bills LB depth chart

Buffalo will turn to the youth in the hopes of replacing Milano's production. Dorian Williams, a third-round pick selection from the 2023 draft, looks set to take the mantle as the Bills' starting outside linebacker. McDermott's side will also seek contributions from other linebackers in its walls, including Bernard and Nicholas Morrow.

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Here is how the depth chart shakes out at linebacker following Milano's injury.