WARE, England (WBEN/AP) — Buffalo Bills edge-rusher Von Miller is set to play against Jacksonville on Sunday in what would be his first game since tearing a ligament in his right knee 10 months ago.
The Bills (3-1) activated the NFL's all-time active sacks leader from the reserve-physically unable to perform list on Saturday, a day after arriving in London for their "home" game against the Jaguars (2-2) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. And it comes after Miller on Friday called it a "safe bet" that he would play following three straight days of practicing on a limited bases.
The 34-year-old has been sidelined since being hurt a 28-25 win at the Detroit Lions on Nov. 24. He was cleared for practice in late August, but the Bills elected to provide him more time to recover by placing him on PUP to start the season, guaranteeing he would miss the first four weeks.
Miller is expected to be eased in and limited to playing in obvious pass-rushing situations. His activation coincides with Buffalo already ruling out starting defensive end Greg Rousseau (foot), and after adding backup defensive end Shaq Lawson to the injury report on Saturday due to a toe injury.
Buffalo opened a roster spot for Miller by placing starting cornerback Tre'Davious White on injured reserve. The seventh-year player will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his right Achilles tendon against Miami last weekend. The Bills also elevated cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram and defensive tackle Kendal Vickers from their practice squad, making both eligible to play on Sunday.
STAY AWAKE
Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he's "not a coffee guy" but indulged because he was trying to get adjusted after an overnight flight.
"I'm caffeined out right now, sweating a little bit," Allen said after the team's walk-through practice on the grounds of The Grove hotel north of London. "Our guys are telling us to stay up today."
Allen said he didn't sleep much on the flight.
"I'm tired right now," he said. "We've been listening to our sports science staff that's in-house and trusting what they're saying, and just trying to make sure that our body clocks are aligned to the time zone here."
The Jags have been in town for a week as part of their back-to-back games in London — a first for an NFL team.
McDermott this week has suggested that's an advantage for Jacksonville, and he took another jab on Friday when asked if the Bills feel like it's a "home" game — which it is, technically.
"Those are the things we can't control, the number of games they played here, their comfort level, them being here a full week ahead of us or so, week-and-a-half maybe," he said. "We focus on the things that we can control."
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs said he doesn't need much shut-eye.
"I'm fine, I'm ready to go," he said. "I could play right now if I had to."
