By Dianna Russini, Joe Buscaglia and Tim Graham
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller will open the regular season on the active/physically unable to perform list, according to league sources. Here’s what you need to know:
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Buffalo keeps up conservative approach
The Bills’ decision to keep Miller on the PUP list was a confirmation of how they’ve handled their long-term injuries in the past. The Bills have been cautious and conservative toward a return for those players, as top cornerback Tre’Davious White didn’t return to game action from his torn ACL until almost a full year later. Both the team and player have said that they want Miller to be healthy and available for the stretch run of the season and the playoffs, so taking the pressure off Miller to get on the field immediately was a calculated approach. — Buscaglia
Who will fill in for Miller?
Even though the Bills will be without Miller for the first four weeks at least, they have prepared for that scenario through their offseason dealings and have put together a deep and talented group. They brought in veteran pass rusher Leonard Floyd after the draft to help deal with this exact scenario, and he’ll pair with third-year standout Greg Rousseau. Rousseau looked primed for a breakout in 2022 before a high ankle sprain derailed the rest of the season. After the reported trade of Basham to the Giants, the Bills’ top two rotational defensive ends will be A.J. Epenesa and Shaq Lawson, two players who have started for them before. — Buscaglia
Why Bills made this move now
Miller wasn’t signed to help the Bills win games in September, but in January and February. Their first four games are against the Jets, Raiders, Commanders and Dolphins. Important games, to be sure, but with zero preseason snaps and just putting on pads a week ago, Miller’s ability to contribute would be restricted severely.
Miller was signed almost specifically to get them over the postseason hump, and that’s when the Bills need their top edge rusher at peak performance. Being patient now will help accomplish that.
Buffalo has a rugged schedule from start to finish, including games at Cincinnati in Week 9, at Philadelphia in Week 12 and at Kansas City in Week 14 and at the Chargers in Week 16. That’s a lot of top quarterback talent that needs full-go chasing.
The Bills must believe they have a handle on their edge-rushing needs by not only shelving Miller for at least four games, but also trading Basham. Although Basham didn’t perform to his draft status and he didn’t start, he missed only one game last year. He played 65 percent and 76 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 10 and 11 wins over Cleveland and Detroit. In the narrow playoff victory over Miami, he had five tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits while playing 49 percent of the snaps.
Brandon Beane’s willingness to trade him away underscores the Bills either have been content with Floyd, Rousseau and Epenesa this summer, or they feel comfortable with what will spring today from other clubs. — Graham
Backstory
Miller came to the Bills via free agency in March 2022 after winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season. The Denver Broncos traded Miller to Los Angeles midway through the 2021 season.
He appears on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 123 1/2 sacks, three first-team All-Pro nods, eight Pro Bowl trips and two Super Bowl rings.
Required reading
(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today)
