Bills' Matt Milano, Taron Johnson Miss Practice
As roughly 35,000 fans packed Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills' "Blue and Red" practice on Friday, two of the team's key defenders were noticeably missing.
Namely, linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback Taron Johnson both missed Friday's training camp practice. Thankfully, Bills fans shouldn't worry too much, as both players are only dealing with "general soreness," according to Bills Wire.
Thankfully for the Bills, both players returned to practice on Sunday, per reports from WGR550.
Since arriving in Buffalo, Milano has become a star in the middle of the Bills' defense. The 29-year-old is coming off his best season to date, in which he posted 99 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 11 passes defended and three interceptions, including a pick six. It was a season full of firsts for the star linebacker, as he earned his first Pro Bowl selection, an All-Pro nod and a spot on the NFL Top 100, coming in at No. 69.
Johnson isn't as much of a household name, but the former fourth-round pick has become an important part of the defense nonetheless. Last season, Johnson recorded 90 tackles, nine passes defended and an interception while starting 15 games for the Bills. For a late-round selection out of an FCS school (Weber State), Johnson has made a good career for himself in Buffalo.
In both players' absences, other guys had a brief chance in the spotlight. At linebacker, second-year defender Terrel Bernard and rookie Dorian Williams reportedly got an increased workload in Milano's absence. In the secondary, newcomer Taylor Rapp and Siran Neal, who has just one start in five years, helped fill the void briefly left by Johnson.
The Bills' defense, which allowed the second-fewest points per game in the league last season, has been a major reason for their success in recent years. To continue that success, they'll want two of their key defenders remaining healthy as the season inches closer.
You can follow Jonathan Alfano on Twitter at @JonAlfano_News
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