58 Matt Milano OLB

Milano is re-signing with the Bills on a four-year, $44 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Milano reportedly gets $24 million guaranteed, though we'll note that initial reports often prove inaccurate on contract details. The 2017 fifth-round pick would've been one of the top linebackers available in free agency, with his coverage skills making him more valuable than the traditional stats suggest. And to be fair, Milano has enjoyed some stretches of decent IDP production, including career highs for tackles (101) and pass defenses (nine) in 2019. A pectoral injury then limited him to 10 regular-season games and 335 defensive snaps in 2020, but he returned in December and should be healthy this summer.

Milano is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

The starting outside linebacker was hampered by injuries in 2020, but there's no doubt the Bills are a better team when he's out there doing his thing with fellow starter Tremaine Edmunds. In fact, of the 13 regular and postseason games that Milano played in, Sunday's loss to the Chiefs was the only one the Bills lost. The Bills clearly want him back but could be up against the cap, so if the demand ends up being super high for the Boston College product, the team may have to let him go. Milano posted 101 total tackles in 2019 -- when he was mostly healthy -- and did post 3.5 sacks and an interception in more limited action this past season.

Milano posted eight tackles and a sack in Monday's 38-9 win over the Patriots.

This was easily Milano's best game since he came back from a pectoral injury in Week 13, and it was also his first contest where he saw more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps in that span. Milano played 88 percent of the defensive plays Monday, as much as any other Buffalo defender, which means he was on the field for all the action until the game was out of hand and the starters were rested. Milano seems finally past the injury, and the tackle machine could be a sneaky IDP play in playoff leagues that use that style.

Milano, in his second game back from an IR stint due to a pectoral injury, posted two tackles, a sack and one pass defensed in Sunday's win over the Steelers.

Milano still isn't all the way back, but he was out there for 47 percent of the defensive snaps vs. 31 percent the previous week. He also appeared to be in on the action more, while his sack was a key play in what was a tight game until the fourth quarter. From an IDP perspective, it's mostly been a lost season for the fourth-year linebacker, but he could be a sneaky pickup in Week 16 or 17 if he can get back to his normal 100 percent snap count and the Bills need to keep winning to secure their best playoff positioning.

Milano (pectoral) was activated from injured reserve ahead of Monday's game against the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The news isn't overly surprising, as the 26-year-old traveled with the team Sunday for the trip out west. Milano hasn't seen game action since Week 8 and has 21 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception in five games this season.

Milano (pectoral) flew with the Bills to Arizona ahead of Monday night's meeting with the 49ers, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Milano hasn't been activated from injured reserve yet, but the Bills have until 4pm Monday in order to do so. It seems as if that's the plan for the starting linebacker if he's traveling that far with the team. Milano hasn't suited up for the Bills since Week 8.

The Bills have designated Milano (pectoral) to return to practice.

The starting linebacker has missed the past three games with the injury, though he's now expected to return to practice this week. The Bills have 21 days to activate Milano, and they could even get him out there for this week's game against the 49ers if they make the decision by Saturday.

Milano (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

This move guarantees that Milano will miss the Bills' next two games, but he could return to action following the team's Week 11 bye. It's a major loss for the Bills' defense, as Milano is a strong cover linebacker and has registered 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups and an interception through five games. Andre Smith is expected to start at weak-side linebacker moving forward.

Coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Milano (pectoral) is ruled out for Sunday's game against Seattle, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

Milano had managed to play through his lingering pectoral injury the last two games, though he was limited to a third or less of defensive snaps versus both the Jets and Patriots. That the standout linebacker will now be forced to miss a key game against Seattle could indicate that he's suffered a setback in his recovery.

Milano (undisclosed) won't practice Wednesday, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.

It's possible this absence is just precautionary for the linebacker, who has already battled hamstring and pectoral injuries this season. If Milano's unable to practice Thursday, that would start to cast serious doubt on his status for Sunday's game against Seattle.

Milano (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game versus the Patriots.

Milano returned to the lineup last week after a two-game hiatus, and he didn't handle his typical workload, playing just 33 percent of the defensive snaps. Perhaps his responsibilities will ramp up against the Patriots, as the standout linebacker is too much of a difference-maker to stay on the sidelines.

Milano (pectoral) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Milano has been limited in practice all week, a hint that he could operate under a snap count if he does suit up against New England. While Milano normally handles a starting role for Buffalo, he only played 19 defensive snaps against the Jets in Week 7, his first game back from an injury suffered in Week 4.

Milano (pectoral) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

The Bills are continuing to ease Milano back into action, while he played just 19 defensive snaps during Sunday's win against the Jets. The standout linebacker will work to ramp up his activity ahead of the Week 8 divisional contest against the Patriots.

Milano tallied two tackles and half a sack during Sunday's win at the Jets after missing the two previous games with a pectoral injury.

Milano is still far from perfect health, as coach Sean McDermott has stated the team will have to build up his reps. He was only able to play 19 defensive snaps Sunday, though given the magnitude of this week's game against the rival Patriots -- plus the extra week of healing -- we'd expect Milano to have a significant jump in play count for Week 8.

Milano (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game at the Jets.

Milano was a true question mark after missing Week 5 and 6, both prime-time losses for the Bills where their defense got exposed while missing a bunch of plays Milano usually is around. The Bills are still a pretty injury-depleted team, so Milano's return is a big boost, even in a heavily favored game.

Milano (pectoral) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

The 26-year-old missed the past two games with the pectoral injury, but he may be able to retake the field Sunday. Milano practiced as a limited participant all week, so he could end up being a game-time decision.

Milano, who's missed the last two games with a pectoral injury, is practicing on a limited basis Wednesday, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News reports.

The Bills have been gashed by the Titans and Chiefs the last two games, so Milano's ability to play this weekend against the Jets will be an important factor toward the team getting back to its winning ways. Milano may be more important than any player on the team outside of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and Tre'Davious White.

Milano (pectoral) is inactive for Monday's game versus the Chiefs, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Milano will spend a second straight game on the sidelines despite practicing fully Friday and logging a limited session Saturday. Tyrel Dodson is expected to start at weak-side linebacker in Milano's place against the Chiefs' powerhouse offense.

The Bills have listed Milano (pectoral) as questionable for Monday's game against the Chiefs.

Milano appeared to be back to full health after full participation at Friday's practice, but his limited workload Saturday has led to a questionable designation. Final confirmation on his status will come closer to kickoff Monday.

Milano (pectoral) practiced in full Friday, paving the way for him to suit up Monday against the Chiefs, Sal Capaccio of the Bills' official site reports.

Milano has missed two of Buffalo's first five games due to hamstring and pectoral injuries, but he's been terrific when out there, totaling 18 tackles, a sack and an interception. The versatile linebacker will be a welcome addition to Buffalo's defense for a daunting matchup against a Chiefs team that's churning out 29.8 points per game.