Not only do the Buffalo Bills take the field for the first time since November 17th, but they will be joined by a major fan favorite for the first time since Week 5 of last season. All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano has had a tough outing since October of last year. When the Bills went to London last year in Week 5, Milano suffered a season-ending leg injury that kept him sidelined all of last year.
After rehabbing the injury and getting better to starting out this season, Milano tore his bicep before the start of the season and he has missed action since then. At one point, it was high up in the air on whether or not he would be able to play this season. Well we will be seeing #58 take the field for the first time in over a year and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Bills activated Milano off of the IR and he should be ready to play against a struggling 49ers offense.
Bills activated former All-Pro LB Matt Milano from the injured reserve list, per source. Milano now is expected to play vs. the 49ers in his first game since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Bills and Jaguars squared off in London 420 days ago Sunday. pic.twitter.com/jqoWHTv2MZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2024
Bills get Matt Milano back in time for perfect primetime matchup
Buffalo’s defense has managed to still be among one of the best units in the league without Milano, but we all know just how valuable Milano’s presence is. He can stop the run and he take on coverage against any tight end in the league. Not to mention, we have only seen the combo of him and Terrel Bernard in four full games. Seeing this duo again on the field is going to be a lot of fun.
Milano coming back in time for this game against the 49ers gives Buffalo a chance to take away one of San Francisco’s top weapons, tight end George Kittle. In nine games played, Kittle has scored 8 touchdowns and recorded 642 receiving yards. With Brandon Aiyuk being out for the season and Deebo Samuel’s production disappearing, Kittle has had th opportunity to be Brock Purdy’s go-to guy.
Depending on how much Milano will play in this game, putting him on coverage duty on Kittle will limit Purdy’s production and take away one of his big weapons on the offense. In addition, Purdy not having a go-to weapon while missing the left side of his offensive line is a setup for a disaster for the 49ers.
Bills fans will be excited to see Milano back on the field for the first time in a long time. Now we just need to hope that he can stay healthy and be part of the plan moving forward the rest of the way this season.