The preseason is just over, and the Buffalo Bills defense is already banged up and battered, but they may not be able to overcome their latest injury.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bills star linebacker Matt Milano suffered a torn bicep and “will be out indefinitely.”

What a blow for the Bills. Milano will undergo surgery “with the hope of returning later this season,” Schefter points out. The NFL insider suggested a possible December recovery timeline, but even that seems far-fetched.

On Tuesday, Milano left practice with an unspecified injury. Then, on Thursday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott disclosed the crushing bicep problem.

Milano suffered a broken leg and torn ACL in Week 5 of 2023, which was season-ending for him. Bills Mafia had been eagerly awaiting his return. Unfortunately, this is a significant setback for the 30-year-old. Buffalo will have a tough time replacing the 2022 All-Pro.

With the 2024 season just around the corner, the Bills don’t have many options on the open market at this point in the offseason. Still, these three free agents offer Buffalo’s best chance to copy Milano’s presence.

Anthony Barr may not be the four-time Pro Bowler he once was, but he can be useful for the Bills.

Like Milano, Barr is an outstanding athlete for his position. At 6’5″ and 255 pounds, he moves incredibly well. The No. 9 pick in 2014 has the physical attributes to play a major role as a run or pass defender.

Barr played four games for the Minnesota Vikings last year and recorded just one tackle and one fumble recovery in 48 snaps. But he proved he could still hold his own against opposing tight ends, as evidenced by his 82.5 coverage grade ($) at Pro Football Focus (PFF).

For a more comprehensive, albeit less recent, sample, Barr appeared in 14 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. He recorded 58 total tackles (two for a loss), two fumble recoveries, one sack, and one pass deflection.

Although Barr is not a one-for-one alternative for Milano, that’s okay since none of the players at their disposal are.

Zach Cunningham topped the league with 164 tackles just four years ago. Since then, his career has been plagued by injuries that limited him to 33 of 51 regular-season games.

Cunningham has moved around a lot during the aforementioned stretch, playing for three different teams, and he may finally find a home in Buffalo without Milano.

Most recently, Cunningham spent 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He totaled 85 tackles (two for loss), defended four passes, and recovered one fumble. His performances earned him solid all-around comments from PFF and showed his versatility.

Although Cunningham doesn’t have as many accolades as Barr, he is stronger at this stage of their respective careers, and the latter would be a solid addition for Buffalo as he enters his 30th season.

Shaquille Leonard is undoubtedly Buffalo’s most decorated prospect. The three-time All-Pro and former AP Defensive Rookie of the Year is no longer at the peak of his powers, but he can help.

After being surprisingly released by the Indianapolis Colts mid-season in 2023, Leonard landed with the Eagles. His stay in Philly was lackluster at best, but perhaps another change of scenery could turn things around.

Leonard’s time in Indy was coming to an end. Still, the Eagles were apparently not an ideal place for the veteran linebacker. Plus, he’s struggled with multiple injuries since 2022, including a concerning herniated disc that required surgery. Perhaps another year post-injury will help him regain his dominant form. At least it’s a bet worth making if you’re the Bills.