The Buffalo Bills’ upcoming Monday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons was already shaping up to be a crucial bounce-back opportunity. But the team’s latest roster update has taken a serious turn, raising fresh concerns about the status of one of the NFL’s most inspiring players.
Buffalo Bills Face Major Defensive Setback Ahead of Monday Night Clash
Following their 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 5, the Bills now sit at 4-1 and are preparing to face the Falcons on “Monday Night Football.”
However, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, “Bills are placing S Damar Hamlin on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury. Bills also ruling out LB Matt Milano and DT T.J. Sanders for Monday night’s game vs. the Falcons.”
Bills are placing S Damar Hamlin on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury.
Bills also ruling out LB Matt Milano and DT T.J. Sanders for Monday night’s game vs. the Falcons. pic.twitter.com/lNyqox9d3x
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2025
The announcement comes as part of an updated injury report that delivered several blows to the Bills’ defense. Linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle T.J. Sanders have both been ruled out for the primetime game. At the same time, Hamlin’s designation to injured reserve means he will be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks.
As the team confirmed, players on IR cannot return until after that period, at which point a 21-day window opens for potential activation.
Hamlin, a sixth-round pick out of Pittsburgh in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been a member of the Bills organization for his entire professional career.
Though his on-field role has often been limited, he has made his presence felt during key defensive stretches. His perseverance and determination made him a beloved figure in the Bills and across the league.
Perhaps most notably, Hamlin’͏s ͏career and story carry a propound emotional weight. In͏ January 2023, he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a “Monday Night Football” game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a terrifying moment that gripped the sports͏ world.
His eventual recovery and return to football were widely celebrated as one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory.
Now,͏ his placement on injured reserve marks another difficult chapter, albeit for a different reason.
Head coach S͏e͏an McD͏ermott confirmed that linebacker Matt Milano͏ will not play on Monday ͏night,͏ stating͏ that ͏the veteran has officially been ruled ͏out for the game. This will be͏ the third contest Milano has missed this͏ season, leaving the Bills short-handed at ͏multiple defensive positions.
While H͏amlin and S͏anders serve as backups, their absence still impacts the depth ͏and rotation͏ ͏on a defense that has been a cornerstone of͏ the Bills’ early success.
With several key͏ contributors unavailable, the Bills’ defensive lineup faces a stern test against the Falcons’ balanced offense.
The timing of Hamlin’s setback could not be more unfortunate, as it disrupts his steady progress and sidelines him for at least a month. For both fans and teammates, it serves ͏as another reminder of the unpredictability of the game and the resilience required to keep fighting through it.