By Lance Lysowski

Copyright buffalonews

Another key member of the Buffalo Bills’ defense may not be available Thursday night when they host the Miami Dolphins, and his absence may extend beyond the Week 3 matchup.

Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday that linebacker Matt Milano was unable to practice because of a pectoral injury that he suffered during their 30-10 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

McDermott wasn’t prepared to say whether Milano’s absence would be short term.

“I don’t know,” McDermott said when asked if Milano may be out long term. “We’ll see.”

It would be another significant loss for a defense that’s unlikely to have its top defensive tackle, Ed Oliver, for a second consecutive game. Oliver also didn’t practice Monday because of an injury to his left ankle. He didn’t travel to New Jersey for the Bills’ Week 2 win, and his absence led to more snaps for rookie defensive tackles Deone Walker and T.J. Sanders.

Taron Johnson, the Bills nickel cornerback, is also dealing with a quad injury that kept him out Sunday. He, fellow nickel cornerback Cam Lewis and linebacker Shaq Thompson were limited in practice Monday, though rookie nickel corner/safety Jordan Hancock made enough progress from his shoulder injury to participate without restrictions.

The Bills made Hancock, a fifth-round pick out of Ohio State, inactive in Week 1, and the shoulder became a problem during practice last week. Lewis forced a fumble in the fourth quarter and, three plays later, he went down with an injury. In Johnson’s absence, Lewis played 33 of Buffalo’s defensive snaps. He was in coverage for three of the Jets’ pass attempts and allowed just one 4-yard reception. Lewis also made four run stops and logged one quarterback pressure.

Milano was healthy throughout the Bills’ offseason, and was arguably their best defensive player during training camp. Through two games to start his ninth NFL season, Milano has nine tackles, including a sack. He played 23 snaps against the Jets, before he was replaced by third-year linebacker Dorian Williams.

Williams started 11 games in 2024 because Milano tore one of his biceps during a practice in training camp that August. He missed all but five games in 2023 because of a broken leg. Milano, 31, was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2022, when he had 99 tackles, 12 for a loss, and three interceptions. In 96 regular-season games for Buffalo, Milano has 513 tackles and 10 interceptions.

Milano stood on the sideline during the second half Sunday with his right arm in a sling and his helmet on. The timeline for an athlete to return from a pectoral injury depends on whether it’s a strain — measured on a scale from Grade 1 to Grade 3 — or rupture.

“He’s one of our better players, so we’ll see where it goes,” said McDermott. “I feel bad for him. He works extremely hard. You guys know him — he’s here quite a bit, and he puts a lot of time into it. It means a lot to him.”

Here are other takeaways from McDermott’s press conference Monday:

Special teams

McDermott went out of his way following the win Sunday to credit his special teams units, specifically one of his newest players, Sam Franklin, for helping the Bills shut down the Jets returners.

On seven kickoff returns, the Jets totaled 174 yards for an average of 24.9 yards. They also had one 11-yard punt return, and their average starting field position was their 29-yard line. It was an improvement from Week 1, when the Ravens averaged 27.8 yards on six kickoff returns, and it was an encouraging sign for the Bills as they try to shut down the revamped dynamic kickoffs.

Franklin, who got signed to the active roster after initially joining the Bills’ practice squad, totaled two tackles. He played for Buffalo special teams coordinator Chris Tabor in Carolina.

“That’s huge,” said McDermott. “This kickoff play is a new play for the entire league this year. It’s an exciting play. With that comes an opportunity to make some big plays when we go and cover kicks and making sure that we put a net around the ball carrier and get off the blocks.”

Rookie improvement

Sanders and Walker played 23 and 22 defensive snaps, respectively, while helping the Bills cover the loss of Oliver.

Sanders, a second-round pick, had two pressures on 17 pass-rush snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. Walker, a fourth-round pick, had two tackles while half of his snaps were against the run. Zion Logue, a second-year defensive tackle elevated from the practice squad, also sacked Jets quarterback Justin Fields with Greg Rousseau on a pressure created by Sanders.

“Took another step,” McDermott said of Sanders and Walker. “They did. … And we needed it. Still work to be done for all of them and all of us, but they needed to take that step. Again, their preparation, that’s where that began. That’s why you put in the work during the week.”

Bounce back

Bills safeties Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp were much better in Week 2 than the 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens to open the season.

Bishop played each of the Bills’ 47 defensive snaps, and his four solo tackles were tied for the team lead. The 2024 second-round pick also had his first career sack. Rapp, meanwhile, had three solo tackles. They played faster and looked more assertive while fitting the run.

“Really impressed with both T Rapp and Cole (on Sunday),” said McDermott. “Different look in their eye. Way different look in their eye. Very physical on their assignments. Tackled well. … That’s what I like to see.”