Von Miller shares positive mindset after suffering torn ACL

Von Miller was making a massive impact in his first season with the Buffalo Bills. That won’t be the case moving forward, though, as the star linebacker will miss the remainder of the 2022 season with a torn ACL. Although his season has ended in unfortunate fashion, Miller says he’s in good spirits as he’s ready for the challenge of rehab.

Miller joined the ‘Pat McAfee Show’ to discuss the injury and how he’s attacking his return moving forward. He said disappointment is a natural response but that his mindset isn’t going to allow him to be in a place where he can’t be positive about this setback.

“Whenever you’re hit with an injury like this, there’s gonna be some disappointment. Nobody wants to be hurt. But I’m a huge believer in mindset,” said Miler. “Your mindset is what’s going to carry you through tough times like this. Mindset is everything. My mindset and where I am mentally in it? I’m in a really good space. And that’s 75% of it.”

Miller suffered the injury on Thanksgiving against the Lions. He underwent a knee scope earlier this week to check the health of his knee to move forward this season. However, during the procedure, doctors found the torn ACL. With that in mind, Miller’s season will end after totaling 21 tackles, eight sacks, two pass deflections and a forced fumble for the Bills.

This isn’t the first ACL tear of Miller’s career. He tore one previously back in 2013 as a young prospect on the Denver Broncos. With that experience, his mindset, and plenty of support now pushing him, Miller says he is both grateful as well as prepared to take this head-on so he can return next season.

“I’ve been through this before, I’ve been down this road before…I was telling guys on our team that was going through ACL recovery to do this, to do that. You’ve got to be mentally here and there. And now I get a chance to prove to those guys how tough I am, how much I’m willing to work,” Miller said. “I’m excited for that challenge. I’m excited to show my teammates how I’m gonna get through this and be ready for training camp.”

“Whenever you get hit with something like this, it sucks at first. But I won’t let myself roll into a little ball of self-pity. I’m not doing that. My life is good, I’m in a great spot. You just got to take it one day at a time and we’ll be all right.”