Von Miller says knee is 'all healed up' ahead of Bills training camp

It’s playing NFL semantics, but star linebacker Von Miller says his surgically-repaired knee is in such good shape that the Bills won’t need to place him on the PUP list to start training camp.

Now, playing in the opener is another story. We’re still six weeks away from the start of Buffalo’s preseason camp. But Miller, who wants to add a third Super Bowl ring with the Bills, thinks he’ll be healthy enough to play in the season opener. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last Thanksgiving in the Bills road win over Detroit.

“I have good information from my doctor, and my knee is all healed up,” Von Miller told the Buffalo News. “It’s all about me and how confident I can be (over) the next three months.”

The first step is to avoid the PUP list when training camp starts, July 25. If the team places him on the physically unable to perform list when camp starts, then Miller automatically can’t play in the first six games. However, the Bills can keep Miller on the opening 53-man roster, then place him on injured reserve if they still want to be cautious. This would limit him to missing the opening four games.

Buffalo kicks off its season with a road game against the New York Jets. That game probably will be the most buzzed about during the opening week, given that Aaron Rodgers will be making his debut with the Jets after playing for the Packers for 18 years. Von Miller could be an added benefit for the Buffalo defense.

This is Miller’s second ACL surgery and rehab. He injured his knee the first time on Dec. 22, 2013, back when he played for the Broncos. However, he made it back for the 2014 season opener. Of course, he was only in his third year as a pro. His ACL turnaround time was 269 days.

If he can manage the 2023 season opener, we’re talking a 291-day healing cycle. It was good that Miller was familar with the knee rehab process.

“You kind of know what to expect,” he said. “You kind of realize the weight of what’s going on. You’re not thinking about how tough (stuff) is – you’re anticipating what’s going to happen next (and saying), ‘I know I’m supposed to be here at three months, here at four months and here at six months,’ and I just focus on where I’m at and the emotional part of it and the mental part of it because those are the things I can control.”

Von Miller was 11 games into his Bills career when he tore the ACL. Buffalo signed him weeks after Miller helped the Rams win the Super Bowl over the Bengals. Miller, the former Texas A&M star, was MVP of Super Bowl 50 when the Broncos beat the Panthers.