Pittsburgh, Pa. -- The Bills hit the field for a joint practice against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday afternoon with some sobering news. Moments before practice started, head coach Sean McDermott announced that linebacker Matt Milano suffered a biceps injury during a previous practice and his return to play is unknown.
Scroll to see photos from Day 15 of the 2024 Buffalo Bills Training Camp at Acrisure Stadium on August 15, 2024, before taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers during Preseason Week 2
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dalton Kincaid (86). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dee Delaney (29), Mike Edwards (21), Dion Dawkins (73) and Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keni-H Lovely (38). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kyron Brown (32). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Rasul Douglas (31). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Xavier Johnson (16). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Shayne Simon (49), Kyron Brown (32) and Edefuan Ulofoshio (48). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ben DiNucci (15) and Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Will Clapp (77). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kevin Jarvis (63). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Spencer Brown (79) and Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Tre' McKitty (83). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Christian Benford (47). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
O'Cyrus Torrence (64) and Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ed Oliver (91). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
DaQuan Jones (92). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Connor McGovern (66) and Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Cam Lewis (39) and Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Taylor Rapp (9). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Deon Cain (14). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Greg Rousseau (50). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Austin Johnson (98). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Curtis Samuel (1). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
La'el Collins (71). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Aaron Kromer. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ben DiNucci (15). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kameron Cline (96). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (62). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Baylon Spector (54), Al Holcomb and Nicholas Morrow (52). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keni-H Lovely (38). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keaton Bills (60). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Von Miller (40). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kingsley Jonathan (59). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Shayne Simon (49). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Edefuan Ulofoshio (48). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Terrel Bernard (43). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Aaron Kromer. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Tre' McKitty (83). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Reid Ferguson (69). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Gable Steveson (61). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (81). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Terrel Bernard (43) and Al Holcomb. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Andy Isabella (87). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ryan Van Demark (74). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Reggie Gilliam (41). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Bryan Thompson (89). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Bryan Thompson (89). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
James Cook (4). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Shayne Simon (49). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Terrell Burgess (35). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kaiir Elam (5). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kyron Brown (32). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kyron Brown (32). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dee Delaney (29). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Zach Davidson (84), Kingsley Jonathan (59), Rondell Bothroyd (97) and Shayne Simon (49). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17) and Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42) and Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Spencer Brown (79). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mack Hollins (13), Adam Henry and Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Tylan Grable (68) and Will Clapp (77). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dawuane Smoot (94) and Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Alec Anderson (70). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mitchell Trubisky (11). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Lawrence Keys (82). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Bobby Babich. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Daequan Hardy (25) and Terrell Burgess (35). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Deion Jones (45). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Deon Cain (14). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17) and Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17) and Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kendall Williamson (36). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Zach Davidson (84). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dawuane Smoot (94). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ben DiNucci (15), Josh Allen (17) and Joe Brady. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Reggie Gilliam (41), Dawuane Smoot (94) and Khalil Shakir (10). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ja'Marcus Ingram (46). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Cam Lewis (39). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
O'Cyrus Torrence (64). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ben DiNucci (15). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Connor McGovern (66). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17) and Tyler Bass (2). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Edefuan Ulofoshio (48). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Sam Martin (8). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Frank Gore Jr. (20). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Edefuan Ulofoshio (48) and Gunner Britton (61). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17) and Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keon Coleman (0). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Gunner Britton (61). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mack Hollins (13). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Javon Solomon (56) and DeWayne Carter (90). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Taron Johnson (7). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Josh Allen (17). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Branson Deen (53). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Darrynton Evans (37). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Mitchell Trubisky (11) and Ben DiNucci (15). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Damar Hamlin (3). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ty Johnson (26). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Ben DiNucci (15). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
. Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dawson Knox (88). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Justin Shorter (18). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dion Dawkins (73). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Kareem Jackson (27). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Keon Coleman (0) and Deion Jones (45). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
KJ Hamler (19). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Quintin Morris (85). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Dorian Williams (42). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
A.J. Epenesa (57). Buffalo Bills practice, August 15, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium
Several of Milano's teammates shared just how tough the news was for them knowing their teammate only got through a few weeks of practices before getting injured again.
"It's always hard when a guy fights his way back and gets injured again," nickel cornerback Taron Johnson said. "So, I would say that's very tough for him, and just praying for him and hope it's a speedy recovery."
Last season, Milano missed the final 12 weeks of the year due to a leg injury that he suffered against the Jaguars in October. The LB spent the entire offseason in Buffalo rehabbing from the injury and was cleared to return to practice for the start of training camp.
"We saw the effort and hours he put in to heal his body and do it the right way to come back and be with us because that's all he wanted," defensive end A.J. Epenesa said. "To have this happen, it just breaks my heart. And it breaks most of the guys' hearts on the defense because we all love and care about him."
While many players know you can't truly replace an All-Pro like Milano, they want their linebacker to know that the defense will step up in his absence.
"He's an All-Pro player and an All-Pro person," safety Damar Hamlin explained. "It's truly hard to replace somebody like that, but this league is a next man up mentality. We'll hold it down for him until he's ready to get back out there with us. So, 58 will always be in our hearts, and I can't wait till we get him back out the field."
In his five games last season, Milano registered two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Why LB Dorian Williams feels ready for his opportunity + how the defense plans to rally around him
Linebacker Dorian Williams will be one of the players tasked with stepping in for Milano. Williams played in 17 games and made two starts last year during his rookie season. The LB was drafted by the Bills in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Tulane product is comfortable with the added responsibilities.
"I feel ready," Williams said after practice. "That's what we're brought here to do is to be the next man up, do our 1/11th. That's something coach Bobby (Babich) does a good job of."
Williams flashed during Thursday's practice by jumping in the air to bat down a pass at the line of scrimmage. Going into this season, the Tulane product thinks he has better feel for the game with one year in the league under his belt.
"A whole understanding of the defense, understanding of what offenses are trying to do to us," Williams said of how he has grown.
Williams picked up 35 tackles, one pass defensed and two quarterback hits in 17 games last season. While the LB is young, his teammates are feeling confident in his ability to do the job.
"He cares about doing things the right way," Epenesa said. "Having him out there with us, I trust in him just as much as Milano because I'm sure you guys have seen him, when 42 is running, somebody gets hit."
The second-year player said Milano had some advice for him when the two spoke after Williams heard of the injury.
"Just do your 1/11th and keep your eyes on your keys," Williams said of the advice given by Milano. "That's something he always told me, how to simplify everything is to keep your eyes on your keys and everything is going to come right to you."
Williams won't be on an island on his own as he steps in for Milano. He'll have plenty of teammates around him helping fill the void left by an All-Pro and Pro Bowler.
"There's little things that we can do as a defensive line to make the guy's job behind us easier, whether that's knowing where the blitz is coming from, knowing the adjustments," Epenesa said. "The more we can learn and harp on those as a defensive line, we can kind of take some of that pressure off the guys behind us."
The LB can also feel good about the fact that this defensive coaching staff has developed several players to play above and beyond what those outside of the organization thought was possible.
The staff coached a fifth-round pick in linebacker Matt Milano into becoming an All-Pro in 2022. They coached another fourth-round pick in cornerback Taron Johnson into becoming one of the best nickel corners in the NFL. And, they helped develop a third-round pick in linebacker Terrel Bernard into becoming the only player since 1982 to have at least six sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries in one season (2023).
"There are stars that are made in opportunities like this," Johnson said of his advice to Williams. "So just take advantage of what you're given and do your best."
The benefits of a joint practice + a homecoming for a certain safety
After a few weeks of practicing against each other, Bills players were excited to finally go against someone in a different uniform.
"I loved it," left tackle Dion Dawkins said. "The best part about practicing in a joint practice is you get to sharpen your pass pro skills against players you would normally have to be your best against without even practicing…it's a beautiful feeling to be able to test your skillset against opponents that you could play and not have it count like you're in a game."
Tight end Dalton Kincaid had a great day of practice catching almost everything thrown his way. The tight end also found his way to the end zone for a couple of scores. Some of his teammates who joined him in the end zone throughout different periods between team drills and seven on seven were running back James Cook, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, tight end Quintin Morris and tight end Zach Davidson.
"It's an interesting first-time thing to come out here and to compete at practice, but it's a really good thing as well," Epenesa said. "You get different looks, different styles of pass sets, different run styles, run combinations, run blocks, all those different things to kind of switch it up a little bit. So, it's kind of a refresher, and now we have a little taste for what the game is going to be like on Saturday."
One player who couldn't wait to get to Pittsburgh was safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin grew up a few miles away from Acrisure Stadium and played at it throughout high school and college.
"Today I really cherished that practice," Hamlin said. "We are so in a rush to get off the field after getting through a practice, but today I really tried to slow myself down and enjoy the moment because this was something special to me."
From getting off the bus to stepping onto the field, Hamlin said there were memories everywhere.
"The locker room that we're in right now was the locker room that I had when we won championships with Central Catholic," Hamlin said thinking back to high school. "This place is truly a part of my life, a part of my history, a part of my story and my upbringing. So, there are memories everywhere."
The safety said he's expecting at least 50 family and friends to pack the stadium for Saturday's preseason game against the Steelers.
"I'll be interacting with everybody," Hamlin said. "This is truly home, and if you know me I'm a hometown kid…my heart started racing a little bit just getting of the plane and being back home."
