While it’s a bummer that the Buffalo Bills will be without linebacker Matt Milano for the start, and most, of the 2024 NFL season… there was good news to be found.

During the NFL’s roster cut-down day, the All-Pro linebacker was placed on injured reserve. As were running back Darrynton Evans and offensive lineman Travis Clayton.

But IR has layers.

Clayton (shoulder) will not play in 2024. The England international was considered a long-term project piece regardless.

In a new rule for this season, NFL teams were allowed to place two players on IR ahead of roster cut-down day. Previously they had to make the 53-man roster then be placed on the injury designation if their season was not over. Not anymore, which allowed Buffalo to move Milano (and Evans) to an important placement.

Milano (bicep) and Evans (hamstring) were slapped with the “designated to return” status. That means Milano could still be back even though he’s on IR. That’s a good update.

Milano’s future outlook remains murky as he’s labeled as “out indefinitely,” potentially until December… time will tell.

Bills Wire will provide all injury updates throughout the 2024 NFL season.