Getty Bills star edge rusher Von Miller posts his first Instagram message since suffering a knee injury in Week 12 against the Lions.
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller has had a slow start to the season since returning from a torn ACL, but the All-Pro isn’t worried about his return to form.
Miller has played in five games so far this season since returning from the torn ACL he suffered on Thanksgiving Day last year, but has seen limited time, recording just one total tackle and one quarterback hit with no sacks. He also missed a crucial tackle in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals when he missed a third down late in the fourth quarter that allowed the Bengals to convert a first down and run out the clock for the 24-18 win lose.
Although the game drew some criticism, Miller told reporters this week that he believes he will only get better and his knee will get stronger as the season progresses.
Von Miller: “I know I can play”
Miller tried to temper expectations for his play this season, saying he’s aware it will take time to get back to 100% but expressed confidence he can get there.
“I would like to make these big jumps every week, but the reality is that every week I get a little better. I’m grateful for that and I can accept that,” Miller said, via ESPN. “This is Year 13 for me and I just know how it goes. I know I can still play. I know I can still recapture some of the things I did in the past and the type of player I was. I know I can still be that, and I feel like that’s what keeps me going.”
Von Miller has a feeling he’ll be playing like Von Miller again soon.
“I know I can still catch up on some of the things I did in the past and the type of player I was.”
Where the #Bills are + pass rusher in return from a torn ACL and face #Broncos for the first time since the trade in 2021. pic.twitter.com/SBJ0IYkHMu
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) November 10, 2023
The Bills could use an improved performance from Miller after struggling with injuries of late. The team has already lost a trio of key players – cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones – to season-ending injuries and will be without safety Micah Hyde for its Nov. 13 game against the Denver Broncos.
Von Miller knows the stakes
With the Bills having underperformed so far this season and currently sitting outside the playoffs at 5-4, Miller was clear this week on the need to turn things around quickly.
“It’s not time to sound the alarm,” Von said, via SI.com. “But it’s close.”
Head coach Sean McDermott expressed a measure of confidence heading into the season and brushed aside fan talk about job security for offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.
“Trust in our team. Trust in our trainers. Trust in our players. Trust in our people,” McDermott said, adding, “That doesn’t mean we don’t have to work for it. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a gap to close. And there are various things that close this gap. So we need to continue to focus on those areas and play better as an overall team in terms of complementarity.”
The Bills have a great chance to begin their turnaround on Monday night. According to Quarter4 projections, the Bills have a 71% win rate against the Broncos.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter who covers the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions for Heavy. He previously wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and was associate editor of the sports journals Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He lives in Rochester, New York and loves all things soccer. More about Nathan Dougherty