NFL Rumors: Bills' Matt Milano Activated After Biceps Injury, Will Play vs. 49ers

Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano is expected to see NFL action on Sunday for the first time since October 2023.

The Bills have activated Milano from injured reserve on Saturday in anticipation that he will play in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

He has been listed as a full participant in practice leading up to the contest.

Milano has been sidelined since August, when he underwent surgery on a torn bicep suffered during practice.

The linebacker last played on Oct. 8 of last year, when he suffered a season-ending leg and knee injuries in Week 5 of the 2023 campaign.

The 49ers and Bills tip off on Sunday night at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Bills will provide an official update on Milano's availability at 6:50 p.m. ET, according to the team's website.

Milano, who played his way into a starting role by the end of his rookie 2017 season, is in his seventh campaign with the Bills.

Most recently he recorded 30 tackles and two interceptions in five starts prior to his injuries in 2023.

He earned the first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod of his career during the 2022 campaign, when he led the Bills with 72 solo tackles and 12 tackles for loss.

Milano also added 1.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, seven quarterback hits and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Milano said on Wednesday that he "feels good" after rejoining the Bills for practice.

"It feels good just to be out there with the guys, man. Be competing again and playing ball," Milano said on Wednesday, per BuffaloBills.com's Alec White.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott then said on Friday that Milano's participation in practice was the "next step" in his return to the team.

"He hasn't been through a Friday practice really to this extent," McDermott said on Friday, per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. "So, we'll see how he handles today and then go from there."

Adding Milano's speed and hard hits to the Buffalo defense will provide a boost in a crucial Week 13 contest. The Bills could clinch the AFC East title for a fifth straight season with a win over the injury-ridden 49ers.