Daquan Jones’ 21-day practice window has been opened, per McD

[Special K]

Here's what the Bills D now has to say to Tua:

 

[Blackbeard]

You have Daquan and Phillips back for Miami, if not before, and we're wrecking shop down south.

 

We are peaking at the correct time.  This is killer mafia!!!

[billsfan89]

I would wager he returns for the Pats game and works in with limited snaps and then ramps up for the Miami game. A return Saturday is not out of the realm of possibility but I think they probably want to give him an extra week of practice to test things out and ease in. 

[MPL]

  On 12/19/2023 at 5:31 PM, Beck Water said:

And I'd like a vacation to the Dominican Republic, and a Pony.

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You can definitely have one of these two things for a very reasonable price

[Buffalo03]

I still don't know why Milano can't be ready if we get in the playoffs. How long does it take for a fractured leg to heal? He did it in week 5, it's week 16. It's 11 weeks since the injury and another 3 added on in the next 3 games, I would think he could be somewhat ready by playoff time if we get there

[Special K]

  On 12/19/2023 at 7:27 PM, Buffalo03 said:

I still don't know why Milano can't be ready if we get in the playoffs. How long does it take for a fractured leg to heal? He did it in week 5, it's week 16. It's 11 weeks since the injury and another 3 added on in the next 3 games, I would think he could be somewhat ready by playoff time if we get there

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That would be awesome.....even on a limited snap count, the juice Milano and DaQuan's return would bring to an already pumped up D after the Cowboys game would be huge!

[peterpan]

Ndamukong Suh!!!!!!!!

[Beck Water]

  On 12/19/2023 at 3:18 PM, JayBaller10 said:

I imagine packages with both Jones and Joseph in the middle on obvious running downs. If Daquan could be somewhat close to his old self, that’s a tough one to run against. 

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He's not going to be "somewhat close to his old self" but at this point we're hoping for "better than Tim Settle or Poona Ford"

[Orlando Buffalo]

I knew we would have issues defensively when Jones went down and am happy with the defensive play the past few weeks despite his missing. To rotate him and Joseph would have to give centers and guards nightmares.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

Week 18 is the most important game left on the schedule without a doubt. Two week run up and then send him through the Dolphins backup center? Yes please.

[somnus00]

Daquan was playing himself into a nice next contract. I feel bad he got injured, but damn am I glad he's coming back for the playoffs (Bills better get in now).

[Buffalo03]

  On 12/19/2023 at 7:37 PM, peterpan said:

Ndamukong Suh!!!!!!!!

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Social security collectors!!!!

[TFBillsfan]

Let him get back up to speed and then be active against MIA if everything is looking good. No need to thrust him back into the trenches against LAC or NE. 

[MiracleAtRich1393]

  On 12/19/2023 at 7:38 PM, Orlando Tim said:

I knew we would have issues defensively when Jones went down and am happy with the defensive play the past few weeks despite his missing. To rotate him and Joseph would have to give centers and guards nightmares.

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Yep, just like last year vs. Cincy in the divisional round

[billsfan89]

  On 12/19/2023 at 7:27 PM, Buffalo03 said:

I still don't know why Milano can't be ready if we get in the playoffs. How long does it take for a fractured leg to heal? He did it in week 5, it's week 16. It's 11 weeks since the injury and another 3 added on in the next 3 games, I would think he could be somewhat ready by playoff time if we get there

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Banged Up Bills did a pretty good breakdown of the injury (see link below) the return to play from this injury is usually 8 months which is 1.5 months longer than the entire season (training camp/pre-season through the Super Bowl included) so the timetable is going to put Milano having a full return in May which should allow him to work out fully for two plus months before training camp and won't impact him for next season hopefully. Banged Up Bills, however, did note that there were a few examples of players who returned from a similar injury post-surgery after about 3ish months. But those seem to be the exception to the rule and not the rule. And from what McD has thus far said I would think Milano is likely out even if the Bills are playing in mid to late January. But if he hasn't been officially ruled out I guess anything is possible. 

 

https://bangedupbills.com/2023/10/09/examining-buffalo-bills-matt-milanos-right-knee-injury/

 

"The first case is Kansas City Chiefs S Daniel Sorensen who suffered a left tibial plateau fracture with lateral meniscus tear in the preseason in 2018. He underwent surgery in mid-August and was able to miss the first nine games of the season on injured reserve before returning to play in Week 10 to play in seven regular-season games and two playoff games. 

 

The other instance is a case report from PFATS, the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society. This was done by Andrew DePietropaolo PT, DPT who is an Assistant AT for the Green Bay Packers. He highlighted a case where the player suffered a similar injury to what Matt Milano suffered and they were able to return to practice in 10 weeks and played half a game later that week. It’s also worth highlighting that this case involved an MCL internal bracing to address ligament laxity from the initial injury.

 

This player was OL Josh Myers who returned to play at 10.5 weeks and played in a full playoff game at 12 weeks. Different duties with offensive line vs linebacker, but still some positive news."

  On 12/19/2023 at 8:25 PM, MiracleAtRich1393 said:

 

Yep, just like last year vs. Cincy in the divisional round

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I loved the addition of Ford in the offseason as I thought Ford could be a backup "run stuffer" once they realized Ford stunk they signed Joseph and that's back filled for Jones run stuffing ability really well. Joseph isn't the same pass rusher disruptor as Jones but at least the Bills were able to stop the gaping holes up the middle of the defense that existed when Jones was out and Joseph wasn't there. 

[Brand J]

  On 12/19/2023 at 7:37 PM, Beck Water said:

 

He's not going to be "somewhat close to his old self" but at this point we're hoping for "better than Tim Settle or Poona Ford"

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Any sort of evaluation before he steps on the field is a guess. His legs still work plenty fine, so no one can say definitively that he won’t be at least 80% of what he was. He’s fully healed, the question is how much strength has returned to the pec? Only DJ knows how he feels.

[JohnNord]

  On 12/19/2023 at 2:43 PM, Simon said:

If that is what this is about, I hope they don't rush him.

They're rolling right now and can afford to ease him back in very slowly.

Waiting to dress him for the Miami game would give them a nice bump and allow him another few weeks to heal.

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IMO Miami is the target

[Aussie Joe]

  On 12/19/2023 at 5:20 PM, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

Joseph has filled in pretty well.  Barring any new injuries, personally if I'd rather have Milano back of the two.  Think that may be a bigger help.

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Yeah … but we don’t get to choose unfortunately…

[BearNorth]

Being optimistic here, his 21 day window ends on 1/9, ? can he be activated for the playoffs if he's not on the active roster or PS for the last regular season game.

[John from Riverside]

Welcome back, sir