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WATCH: Bills DE Von Miller looks explosive in offseason training videos

Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller is showing flashes of his former self in offseason training videos.

Greg Vorse

Dec 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (40) warms up before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (40) warms up before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
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We’re approaching 20 months since Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller tore his right ACL on the Ford Field turf of Detroit against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day 2022. The road to recovery has been a long one with little production from the future Hall-of-Famer, who has tallied five tackles in his 14 combined regular season and playoff games since returning from knee surgery.

“It took longer than expected, but I am back to feeling like my old self,” said Miller in January 2024. The post-injury production certainly doesn’t match the expectations for someone who initially inked a six-year, $120 million contract (he's since taken a pay cut). However, there are some signs that 2024 could be a resurgence towards the Miller we remember racking up eight sacks and 12 quarterback hits in his first 11 games with the Bills.

Related: Legendary Bills DE earns spot near top of list of NFL's greatest pass rushers

The latest in a slew of good signs for Miller were three practice videos posted by @CoachBTJordan on X/Twitter. The first shows the 35-year-old and three other pros working with pads, tennis balls, and other means to stab at blockers and get long with their arms.

The second shows Miller exploding off the line and working on techniques including his bend and reaction.

Lastly is a video where he is working on agility, and what might be the best is seeing him plant and maneuver his repaired knee.

Related: Where does Bills' Sean McDermott rank among returning NFL head coaches?

These videos come after June team workouts where Miller was able to practice without the support of a brace on his right knee for the first time since the injury. Miller told the media after the practices: "Everything revolves around my health and how my knee is feeling. So far, I've been practicing without a knee brace and that's something I could not do last year. So, I know during the season once you get in the mix and the games, I should be able to go."

Bills head coach Sean McDermott is cautiously optimistic his star defensive end could be returning to All-Pro form. The sideline boss recently appeared on the Centered on Buffalo podcast, stating "Last year was last year. It was kind of [one of] those, and it's what you expect, it's first year off of an ACL. It's an uphill climb. Now we're into the second year off of the injury, excited to see what he can do, how he's moving, and how he's going to impact our team. I think that, quite honestly, you never count a player or person like Von Miller out."

von miller pass rushes against the chargers
Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Adding a healthy, productive Miller to a Buffalo defense that finished fourth in the league in 2023 with 54 sacks would be a welcome sight, especially with the loss of Leonard Floyd’s 10.5 sacks after he signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

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Greg Vorse
GREG VORSE

Greg Vorse joined SI to cover the Bills in July of 2024. Greg has spent two decades covering Buffalo football, first as a sports reporter for WJET (ABC) in Erie, Pennsylvania, from 2004 to 2007, then, starting in the summer of 2007, for Time Warner/Spectrum News. He was an award-winning broadcaster during his time on television for stories on the high school, college, and professional ranks. Greg has also covered the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers during his broadcasting and journalism careers. Aside from a love of athletic competition, Greg, his wife, and their two children enjoy vacationing and changing the stereotypes of pit bull terriers.

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