Buffalo Bills' Von Miller Gives 'Safe Bet' Percentage to Return vs. Jaguars in London
There’s no better part of going on vacation than finding an awesome new souvenir, a relic of the trip that you can enjoy, long after the flight back. The Buffalo Bills have traveled to England for a Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They’ll return home with a newly-activated edge rusher in Von Miller.
Like any good souvenir, the start of its journey is best at the source location. Miller’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve has started, and it seems like he’ll be in action on Sunday.
“I think it’s like 94.5 percent,” said Miller, when asked about his chances.
Miller, recovering from a torn ACL, missed last season’s playoff run and, obviously, the start of this campaign. Even if flying to Europe with the team was some signal that he was ready to go, questions linger about his availability.
“It’s been a long road to recovery,” Miller said on Friday. “Had two really good practices, had a really good practice today. I think it’s a safe bet that I’ll be out there for sure.”
Miller’s return would add to a pass rush that has already been disrupting games. Their four sacks in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins were critical in stopping the league’s fastest offense before it could generate any momentum. Buffalo would go on to win, 48-20.
Earlier in the season, against the Washington Commanders, the pass rush essentially won the game for everybody else. Quarterback Sam Howell was sacked nine times.
Unsurprisingly, the Bills’ pass-rushing prowess is showing up statistically. They are tied for the lead in sacks (16), top the leaderboard in the percentage of pass plays with pressure (32.1 percent), and are doing so while blitzing less than 28 teams.
They’re athletic, deep, and now, even more talented. But what will Miller look like in his season debut? It may not be the immediate Canton-bound contributions that come with his name.
Miller rushes the passer against the Green Bay Packers in 2022.
© JAMIE GERMANO, Democrat and Chronicle
“I never said anything about game shape,” Miller said. “... You can’t just jump right into things. And I don’t expect me to … but I expect to put my toe in a little bit and then work my way out to the deep end so I can start swimming.
“It’s a brutal sport, it’s a fun sport, and I’m sure it will take some time for me to get up to where I want to be.”
It’s possible Miller plays more of a rotational role until he’s fully up to speed. Edge rushers Greg Rousseau and Leonard Floyd are faring well as starters, and A.J. Epenesa has provided quality depth. Expect head coach Sean McDermott to deploy him less frequently but in favorable positions. There’s no need to rely on the 34-year-old recovering star when the pass rush is already producing.
Miller doesn’t yet know his role, but again, traveling to England in itself is a good indicator that “94.5 percent” is an actual estimate.
“I know I’m 94 percent ready to play,” Miller said. “So whatever happens after that, that’s all on the coaches.”
Fans can expect their early-morning wake-up to be rewarded with the return of Miller, even if it comes in limited doses. An encouraging showing this weekend could make Miller’s return to Highmark Stadium in Week 6 a true coming-out game, especially under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football.
