Buffalo Bills: Von Miller inactive reportedly due to 'coaches' decision'

The Buffalo Bills announced their inactives for Week 17 with one surprising name in this group. The team's highest paid pass rusher, Von Miller, is a healthy scratch and according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero Miller is a healthy scratch and the decision to keep him inactive was one of the coaches.

Von Miller was one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and was a big free agent signing last offseason by the Buffalo Bills. Last season, he helped transform the pass rush with eight sacks in the first 11 games of the year.

However, Miller suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving last year against the Detroit Lions. The injury would keep him out for the start of this year as he missed the first four games of the 2023 season. He returned Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars but has not been able to make the same impact.

Miller has played in 11 games this season and has had only three total tackles, no sacks and only two QB hits. The lack of production is not due to a lack of snaps as he has played at least 20 snaps in seven of the last eight games.

A.J. Epenesa returns this week for the Buffalo Bills

One of the reasons the Buffalo Bills coaches could have decide to keep Von Miller inactive is the return of A.J. Epenesa. The former second round pick has had a great season this year but missed the past two games due to a rib injury suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The return of Epenesa, along with Greg Rousseau, Leonard Floyd, Shaq Lawson are a good four man rotation with Kingsley Jonathan probably also seeing some snaps. It probably won't be the last fans see Von Miller playing for the Bills and a week off could be exactly what the former All-Pro needs heading into a big game against the Miami Dolphins next week.