Everything was (and mostly still is) going swell for the Buffalo Bills. They’re riding atop the AFC, currently holding the number one seed, and could have an MVP front runner in quarterback Josh Allen.
However, news broke Wednesday that the Bills will have to go the rest of the season without their prized pass rusher, Von Miller.
Miller was originally placed on injured reserve on December 1 due to a knee injury he suffered in the team’s Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions.
Coach McDermott provides an update on @VonMiller.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 7, 2022
Heal up, 40. ❤️💙 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/1LkZd2wfSz
Wednesday, though, it was confirmed that Miller underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL. This became a situation that was no longer “a few weeks,” but “season ending,” unfortunately.
Without Von Miller, the Bills defense will need a collective effort up front in the pass rush department.
A major change for the #Bills: Coach Sean McDermott announces that Von Miller did have exploratory surgery yesterday and they ended up repairing his ACL. He's out for the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2022
Miller had originally signed in Buffalo because he believed a second consecutive (and third in total) Super Bowl title was possible for him, after winning it all with the Rams last season.
Now, he’ll have the opportunity to win it, but while depending on his teammates to fill in the gaps — literally — as he recovers on the sideline.
Two guys who will need to step up, without a doubt, are Boogie Basham and Shaq Lawson. The Bills are fortunate to be so deep within their defensive front, because Basham and Lawson aren’t even the focus here. Yet, both have the talent to be big-time playmakers in Miller’s absence.
Aside from Basham and Lawson, though, the Bills need to see an ascension, continued consistency, and a full-on breakout out of these three players.