Bills Central

Bills LB Von Miller Returning Week 1? GM Brandon Beane Provides Hint

After tearing his ACL late last season, Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller has a chance to play in Week 1, according to general manager Brandon Beane.

Jon Alfano

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The Buffalo Bills have been eagerly awaiting the return of star pass-rusher Von Miller, and they just received an optimistic update in the process.

Miller, 34, suffered a season-ending knee injury during the Bills' game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, and is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The expectation has been that he would come back around the middle of the season, but recent updates could indicate his return coming sooner rather than later. According to general manager Brandon Beane, Miller even has a chance to return for the Bills' Week 1 game against the New York Jets.

"It's definitely a possibility," Beane told NFL Network on Monday. "Not saying he would do it for sure, not saying he wouldn't, we're not quite there yet, but have not ruled out that he could play Week 1 if he gets cleared by doctors."

Although Beane's statement was by no means definitive, the fact that Miller playing in Week 1 is even a possibility is great news for the Bills. Beane shared even more details about Miller's recovery, indicating that the process is going well, but the team still wants to be patient with him.

"Von's Von. He loves the game. He's got a great, you know, perspective on things. He's torn an ACL before," Beane said. "You know, it's the mental part of it as well as the physical part, and so, just talking to him he's in a great spot. We're going to take it slowly with him and make sure he's truly ready to get back, but you know, paced well, and we'll be excited when that day is to get him back on the field."

Miller's been optimistic about his potential Week 1 return as well.

"The most important thing for me is just to be available when my team really needs me," Miller said at OTAs in May. "If that's Week 1, then I'll be happy for that. If that's Week 6, I'll be happy for that. But I guarantee it won't be any later than that. Whatever it takes for me to get to that point, that's what I'll do."

An eight-time Pro Bowler with two Super Bowl rings, Miller looked quite impressive during his first season in Buffalo. The future Hall of Fame linebacker recorded eight sacks in 11 games, and the Bills' pass rush often went as he did. For comparison, the Bills had 30 sacks in the 11 games he played and 15 in the eight games he missed, including two playoff games.

The Bills have a big divisional game in Week 1, traveling to face the Jets on Monday Night Football in quarterback Aaron Rodgers' debut with the team. For such a big game, Buffalo would love to have its star pass-rusher back in the fold earlier than expected.

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Jon Alfano
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