Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, offensive coordinator Joe Brady, and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich addressed the media following the team’s 31-21 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
One of the main topics was linebacker Matt Milano’s injury status. The Bills decided not to place Milano on injured reserve before their game against Miami, suggesting optimism about his recovery from a pectoral injury suffered against the Jets. Coach McDermott commented on Milano’s progress: “Yep, feel like it,” he said when asked if the injury was more short term than long term. “What I was told after the injury last week was like the first couple of days (team trainers) would know more. So I think they feel the same way that it wasn’t any worse.” He added, “It’s been a positive for Matt that he’s already continued to improve at this point.”
Running back James Cook III is approaching a significant franchise milestone. Cook has recorded over 100 scrimmage yards and at least one rushing touchdown in each of the first three games this season. In victories over both the Jets and Dolphins, he amassed 240 rushing yards on 40 carries, averaging six yards per carry. His touchdown against Miami tied him with three others for most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown in team history—seven games in total—a streak dating back to last season. If Cook scores another rushing touchdown against the Saints in Week 4, he will hold the record alone.
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady praised Cook’s performance: “You have to love how he’s running the football right now,” Brady said. “He’s been playing so much stronger in the last couple of years, and he’s able to do that, and then you can feel the explosiveness once he gets through the hole, and the vision going. He’s in a really good spot.” Brady also noted that while other backs such as Ray Davis and Ty Johnson are part of their rotation, Cook’s consistency has made it difficult to take him off the field: “Every game is going to be a little different,” Brady said. “We do obviously have some plays that are naturally tagged for Ray, tagged for Ty but depending on how the game’s going, at some point it’s like, hey, we’re not getting enough. Let’s make sure Jimbo is still in there… In some situations, it’s hard to take him off the field.”
Rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker’s development was another focus during Friday’s session. After recovering from a back injury sustained during his college career at Kentucky and being eased into action by Buffalo throughout offseason activities and training camp, Walker has become an important rotational player early in his NFL career. He increased his snap count from 13 in Week 1 to over 19 snaps each in Weeks 2 and 3.
Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich cited former safety Micah Hyde when discussing Walker’s improvement: “I quote Micah Hyde: ‘Confidence is a dangerous drug’. So, I think the more he plays, the better off — that’s any of our rookies — the more they play, the better off they’re going to be,” Babich said. “There’s a certain standard that we want for our rookies to play with and that’s the Buffalo Bills standard.”
Walker contributed significantly during Thursday’s game by pressuring Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa late in regulation—a play which led directly to an interception by Terrel Bernard as Buffalo protected its lead.
Coach McDermott highlighted Walker’s resilience during key moments: “(Walker) didn’t get off to a great start in the game, but I love how he was able to stay mentally tough and stay on the attack, and then when needed most, made a huge play. Being able to affect the quarterback, we always talk about rush and coverage, and here Deone has a quick win, which you need. And TB has the coverage piece. And those two did a phenomenal job. That’s the vision of rush and coverage working together,” McDermott said.
