The Buffalo Bills dropped their first game of the season against the New England Patriots on Sunday night, and may have also lost a key defensive player who just made his way back from another injury.
The Bills fell 23-20 in a mistake-filled game, allowing Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to lead the first game-winning drive of his career as New England secured a late field goal for the victory. The Bills struggled on defense at times, especially in the second half as an injury to linebacker Matt Milano forced the team to dig into its depth.
Though the Bills have not given a full update on Milano, the initial details of the injury could spell trouble for the defense.
Matt Milano Aggravates Injury
The Bills announced during the game that Milano was out with a pectoral injury. He was initially listed as questionable to return, but ultimately remained on the sidelines as the team turned to backup Shaq Thompson to take his place.
The update brought some concern as Milano had missed the previous two weeks with a pectoral injury that he suffered during a Week 2 win over the New York Jets.
As Ryan Miller of the Democrat and Chronicle noted, Milano has dealt with a series of injuries over the last two years.
“Milano has missed 25 games since the start of 2023. He missed the final 12 games that year after breaking his leg, then was sidelined for 13 more in 2024 due to a torn biceps suffered in training camp,” Miller wrote. “He returned in Week 13 last season and posted 16 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one tackle for loss in four games.
“The 2017 fifth-round pick has also broken his fibula (2018) and battled hamstring and pectoral injuries during his nine-year career.”
Though Thompson played well in relief of Milano, the Bills allowed the Patriots to score on three of their four drives in the second half, including two consecutive touchdown drives.
The Bills also played an uncharacteristically sloppy game. After losing just one turnover through the first four games of the season, the Bills lost two fumbles and had an interception from quarterback Josh Allen.
Bills Dealing With Several Injuries
The Bills were already shorthanded on defense going into Sunday’s game, having just placed rookie cornerback Dorian Strong on injured reserve during the week. The team has also been without defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who has been out since hurting his ankle in practice after the team’s Week 1 win against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bills are also still awaiting the return of first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who suffered a knee injury in training camp and was placed on injured reserve to start the season. The team announced this week that they would not yet open his three-week window to return from IR.
Though it is not clear when either Strong or Hairston could return, the Bills will soon be getting some help on the front lines of the defense. Defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, two of the team’s key offseaelson signings, will both be eligible to return in Week 7 after serving suspensions for violating the league’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs.
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