Consulting With The Coaches

Presented by

Bills LB Matt Milano 'week to week' after re-aggravating pec injury, CB Dorian Strong (neck) to see specialist

Oct 06, 2025 at 05:29 PM

Alec White

Content Manager

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott gave several injury updates during his Monday afternoon press conference following the team's Week 5 loss to the Patriots.

Here's what to know:

LB Matt Milano

Veteran linebacker Matt Milano re-aggravated his pectoral injury that sidelined him the last two games and is now considered "week to week" going forward. Milano left during the second half against the Patriots and did not return; LB Shaq Thompson took his place.

"He tweaked that pec in the game yesterday, so he'll be week to week," McDermott said.

At this time, McDermott does not believe Milano will need to be placed on injured reserve.

"I know it's really tough on him," said Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, who was Milano's LB position coach in 2022 and 2023.

Both McDermott and Babich pointed out Milano's dedication and work ethic and feel for a player that has been unable to stay on the field consistently in recent seasons.

"Nobody works harder than Matt Milano to stay healthy," McDermott said. "Right now it's going to be next man up for this week."

CB Dorian Strong

The Bills placed rookie cornerback Dorian Strong on injured reserve Saturday due to a neck injury, sidelining him for a minimum of four games. McDermott shared more details Monday, noting that Strong will see a neck specialist this week.

Both Strong and the Bills training staff are gathering more information to find out the severity of the injury.

"I don't know much other than I don't think anything at this point can be ruled out. So we'll see where it goes," McDermott said.

Related Links

No IR Decisions Yet

CB Maxwell Hairston, OL Tylan Grable and K Tyler Bass were all eligible to return to practice last week but the Bills elected to not open their 21-day practice windows.

McDermott said that no decisions have been made yet regarding their status going to Week 6 against the Falcons.

DT T.J. Sanders, DT Ed Oliver and C Connor McGovern

The Bills were without two key defensive tackles in Ed Oliver (ankle) and rookie T.J. Sanders (knee) in Sunday night's loss.

Sanders had a knee injury pop up during the week that kept him as a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday before being ruled inactive for Sunday. It was his first missed game of the season. McDermott said he is "not ruling out" Sanders for Week 6 and will see how the DT progresses this week

McDermott used the word "hopeful" to describe the situation for Oliver's chances of suiting up on Monday night against the Falcons.

Center Connor McGovern briefly left Week 5 in between series in the second quarter with a hand injury but quickly returned and finished the game. He did not miss an offensive snap, though TV broadcasts showed the training staff working on McGovern's right hand.

"Hurt his hand during the game and we'll be hopeful that he can go this week," the Bills head coach said.

QB Josh Allen and TE Dalton Kincaid

Reporters asked the Bills head coach about potential injuries to QB Josh Allen and TE Dalton Kincaid, pointing out broadcast angles showing an awkward landing for Allen after a scramble and Kincaid flexing his wrist late in the game after a reception.

McDermott shared that he did not have any immediate concerns about either player, citing just general soreness overall for both.

"As you saw, (Josh) took some shots there, and he plays extremely hard, but just sore overall at this point," he said about the QB.

Same goes for Kincaid who had a career-high 108 receiving yards.

"He's sore as well, dealing with just some overall body soreness," McDermott added.

Personnel Updates

WR Keon Coleman did not see the field during the first quarter against the Patriots due to a disciplinary decision.

"Head coach discipline," McDermott stated. He added that the Bills are "looking for more consistency" from their second-year wide receiver.

"Growth and maturation. That leads to consistency more than anything," McDermott said.

Coleman responded well in the second half, catching a two-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

LB Jimmy Ciarlo was signed to the active roster ahead of Week 5.

"Jimmy's approach every week, every day. He's one of the first ones in, then the last to leave. You know his story, it's been documented. He's got great energy every day, no matter if he's up for a game or not up for a game, which to me, speaks volumes about who he is," McDermott said. "His character, football is important to him, and he's a big time team player, so I'm happy for him. And he went out and competed his first NFL game. I was proud that of him."

1 / 191

2 / 191