PITTSBURGH — The news was still trickling down to Buffalo Bills players as they came off the field following a joint practice at Acrisure Stadium against the Steelers.
Veteran All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano has been ruled out indefinitely with a torn biceps, and the Bills must now scramble to replace him.
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins was asked about the devastating news after practice, and he learned the severity in real time.
“Damn, what like a tear or something? Well, that kind of hit me a little different,” Dawkins said. “I’m just going to go check on my teammate. I don’t have no thoughts yet but that sucks. I can’t wait to get (into the locker room) so I can call him.”
Dawkins and Milano came into the NFL together following the 2017 NFL Draft. Dawkins said Milano is a special dude who will be back and fight through the injury.
Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who left Thursday’s practice with an unknown injury, echoed Dawkins’ sentiments.
“Matt is one of a kind,” Hamlin said. ”He’s an All-Pro player and an All-Pro person. It’s truly hard to replace someone like that but this league is next man up mentality and we’ll hold it down for him until he’s ready to get back out there with him.”
Here are some observations from Thursday’s joint practice.
1. Dorian Williams is next man up
Williams made multiple plays for the defense in his first action with the starters since it was reported that Matt Milano would miss extended time with a biceps tear. Early in 11-on-11s, Williams made a run stop. This came after the unit allowed two big runs, which seemed to help settle the defense.
Williams only got better as the joint scrimmage continued. The linebacker batted down a pass and celebrated with a flex that led to a minor scuffle. After the sides were separated, Williams took over on the field. Williams jumped a route and nearly intercepted Russell Wilson. It led to an incomplete pass. He followed that play up with a stop on a short pass, displaying excellent closing speed. Williams’ last big play came on a pressure that led to a Wilson throwaway. - Talbot
2. Khalil Shakir & Dalton Kincaid dominate vs. Steelers
The Bills’ offense lit up the Steelers’ defense for big plays throughout practice. Shakir and Kincaid were in the middle of the action. Shakir caught a 40-yard touchdown down the middle of the field on a rope from Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who was on point throughout the day. It was the type of scoring play that’s been a staple in the Bills passing game since Allen arrived in Buffalo. Shakir made several impressive grabs throughout the practice and remains a reliable target.
Kincaid had six or seven catches during team drills and was a frustrating cover for the Steelers secondary. If the defense loses track of Kincaid early in the play it’s almost like Allen’s eyes find him before too long. Dawson Knox missed practice with a groin and ankle injury. - Parrino
3. Buy your Daequan Hardy stock
Daequan Hardy made his presence known at Thursday’s joint practice. The rookie cornerback broke up at least three passes in a short period against the Steelers offense inside Acrisure Stadium. With each passing play, the Bills sideline and cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae got more fired up. Hardy played well in his return to Pennsylvania and showed he may be ready to assume the backup nickel cornerback job behind Taron Johnson. - Talbot
4. Spencer Brown is rounding into form?
Brown was a menace in the run and pass game throughout practice. He set the tone early on when he got out in space and blocked a defensive lineman so hard he sent him tumbling to the turf. The block opened a massive hole for running back Ray Davis, who broke off a nice gain against the Steelers’ defense.
Later in practice, during offensive line versus defensive line 1-on-1s, Brown pancaked an edge rusher and followed it up by lowering his hand to try and help him back to his feet. Linebacker Jeremiah Moon didn’t accept the help. Brown has had a slow start this summer after rehabbing a shoulder injury all summer. The Bills need him to continue to make his way back to unlock some of the strong play he put on tape in 2023. - Parrino
5. Up and down day for linebacker
The Bills are down several linebackers. In addition to the loss of Matt Milano, Buffalo was without Baylon Spector and Nicholas Morrow on Thursday. That led to some more opportunities on the field for veteran Deion Jones. Things did not start well in one-on-ones. Jones was beaten by Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on his reps. Once beaten, Jones’ go-to was to grab the backs for what would have been clear penalties in a game.
During 11-on-11s, however, Jones was able to come up with an interception. A ball that bounced off George Pickens’s hands went right in the vicinity of Jones. With an opportunity to make a play, Jones laid out and came up with an interception for the defense. - Talbot
6. Quintin Morris fights back
Zach Davidson has been one of the most popular names on the roster bubble all summer. He had another touchdown on a deep ball from Mitchell Trubisky on Thursday. But Quintin Morris answered back with his best practice of the summer. He scored three touchdowns and was a weapon at all three levels during team drills. Morris is known for his special teams ability, but it’s easy to forget that he’s been a reliable backup on offense since joining the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2021. - Parrino
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