Payments’ OLB Matt Milano is again as Buffalo makes playoff push

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — To explain the most important of moments — a return to the sphere for the primary time in 13 months — Buffalo Payments‘ exterior linebacker Matt Milano‘s phrases had been few.

“Felt actually good,” he mentioned.

Milano is not identified for being probably the most expressive. However that does not imply taking part in soccer once more after a few main accidents wasn’t vital to the 30-year-old veteran.

“You could possibly see how completely satisfied he’s and you possibly can really feel his power and the way excited he’s,” center linebacker Terrel Bernard mentioned. “… Speaking to him all through the week, he is simply received one other burst of power. He would not present a lot. … He is completely satisfied, he is completely satisfied for certain.”

The appreciation was mutual.

Because the Payments’ protection was introduced out of the tunnel forward of the large Week 13 “Sunday Evening Soccer” sport in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, Milano jumped up and down within the tunnel with a brace over his left arm. He ran out of the tunnel, clapping his arms collectively.

The response from the packed and snow-covered stands was effusive, with loud cheers.

This was the primary sport for Milano since he sustained a season-ending proper leg harm on Oct. 8, 2023 throughout a Week 5 sport in London in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tearing a biceps throughout an August coaching camp follow this 12 months pushed again his return much more.

“To listen to the gang go loopy when Matt was introduced, I believe simply once more, I do not need to communicate for the followers, however I believe they admire how robust he is needed to be over the course of the final two years,” coach Sean McDermott mentioned. “So, once they had been cheering for him, I believe that to me, what I heard was they had been appreciative of the truth that he had labored himself again to come back again on the group.”

Defensive deal with Jordan Phillips in contrast it to the response when quarterback Josh Allen comes out of the tunnel. But as Milano described it, “It was cool. I actually wasn’t paying consideration, to be sincere. I used to be simply having fun with the second.”

The return of the 2022 first-team All-Professional was restricted and a strong first step, as he had 5 tackles, together with three solos. Milano’s return is a optimistic signal for a group that has already clinched the AFC East. The Payments are solely getting stronger because the playoffs strategy with a visit to the Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. EST, FOX) this week. For Milano, the following step is continuous a journey again to the sphere that has required a big behind-the-scenes effort.

Milano’s return was extremely anticipated all through the offseason, however when his torn biceps led to him being placed on injured reserve, that anticipation was delayed. In his place, 2023 fifth-round decide Dorian Williams began the primary 11 video games of the season, and performed effectively in his place, main the group in tackles (97) and second in tackles for loss (5).

Milano has remained with the group for many of this season, even touring to away video games and contributing from the sideline.

McDermott famous how Milano has been across the constructing extra this season than final whereas injured, which he believes has been optimistic for Milano mentally, but additionally good for the group.

“He is serving to Dorian, he is serving to TB [Terrel Bernard], the linebackers, simply get stuff performed,” nickel nook Taron Johnson mentioned, “… [Milano’s] like being a coach on the market. So, it is simply large to have a man like that.”

Milano was activated off injured reserve earlier than the Week 11 sport in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and after the group’s bye week that adopted he was a full participant in follow all week main as much as the sport in opposition to the 49ers.

Since getting into the NFL in 2017, Milano has given up the fewest yards per goal, completion proportion and passer score as the closest defender in protection amongst linebackers. In 2021 and 2022, Milano recorded over 86 tackles in every season and over 12 tackles for loss. He additionally recorded 11 passes defensed in 2022 and had 5 interceptions in each 2022 and 2023.

In Sunday’s sport, he performed 37 snaps (77.1%), together with solely three third-down performs with the plan being to take him off the sphere on third down. Doing so is just not uncommon for the group’s dime package deal approaching the sphere in that state of affairs.

“First off, it was nice to have him again on the market,” defensive coordinator Bobby Babich mentioned. “Second off, I’d say that there is some rust we have got to knock off. There’s some issues we received to wash up, however that is to be anticipated. He hasn’t performed soccer, in a sport, in a very long time and every week he’ll get higher and higher.”

For Bernard, taking part in alongside Milano was like having “one other a part of my mind out on the sphere,” an on-field relationship that can solely develop — the pair performed in 5 video games collectively final season as starters.

“We see the sport in the identical manner, situationally, thought of what is coming earlier than it comes after which our calls speaking what is going on to occur earlier than it occurs,” Bernard mentioned. “I believe he does an important job of understanding when a sure movement goes to come back, what that’ll change for each of us, and form of taking part in the sport earlier than it occurs, and so while you get a man on the market like that, that is speaking to me like that, it helps me. It helps everyone on the protection.”

Milano, a 2017 fifth-round draft decide, is one in all three gamers to have been on the group yearly since McDermott took over as head coach. Milano’s expertise, plus Micah Hyde re-signed to the follow squad after considering retirement this week, marks veteran returns to the protection because the group embarks on the final month of the common season.

“[Milano’s] such a pacesetter, albeit just a little bit on the quieter aspect. He is an important participant,” McDermott mentioned. “So, you’ll be able to lead by instance and affect folks in the precise methods for us. And that is been nice to see and nice to have. And now simply tremendous completely satisfied and excited for him to get again on the market and begin to get within the move once more of the sport of soccer.