Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Bills placed veteran pass rusher Von Miller on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Tuesday as the team announced their final roster cuts for the upcoming 2023 season.
With this move, Miller will officially miss the first four games of the year. The earliest game Miller will be able to return is Buffalo's Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England.
Despite Miller's absence for the first four games of the year, WGR Bills beat reporter Sal Capaccio says there was never a reason for "Bills Mafia" to hit the panic button.
LISTEN LIVE TO WBEN:
Capaccio says the move means the Bills save the roster spot on Miller so he doesn't count toward the team's 53-man roster limit. It also means, though, Miller can't even practice for that four-week period.
As much as the Bills would love to have Miller start the 2023 season on the active roster, Capaccio feels the move is not a surprise.
"Most people knew he would have a chance to start on the PUP list to start the season. That's why they went out and signed Leonard Floyd in the offseason," said Capaccio on Tuesday.
Floyd has been one of the leaders in sacks over the past three seasons.
Related
As Capaccio explains, the reason for the move is simple.
"Certainly you'd love Von Miller, but the key is to have him healthy late in the year to make sure he's available in December and January, hopefully February," Capaccio said. "I think that the thing that people are worried about is he can't practice or play for four games."
While Miller's absence will be felt, at first, Capaccio says there is plenty of depth to fill the void.
"Greg Rousseau is there, who made a nice jump last year. A.J. Epenesa had six-and-a-half sacks last year, and, of course, Leonard Floyd is there," he said.
The Bills will start the 2023 regular season on Monday, Sept. 11 when they face the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.