Von Miller

Speaking publicly for the first time since he suffered the injury on November 24, Miller addressed the injury – which some Bills fans thought could be season-threatening at the time – on his podcast 'The VonCast'.

"I do have some lateral meniscus damage and it's going to have to be addressed," Miller said on the podcast. "But I do feel like I can, you know, play through that, so I'm just gonna wait a little bit, and let the swelling go down for about seven-to-10 days and, hopefully, right before the Jets game I will be back."

Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, was initially ruled out indefinitely with what the team called a knee sprain after being carted off the field during Buffalo’s 28-25 Thanksgiving Day win in Detroit.

The 32-year-old pass-rusher will miss the Bills' (8-3) game against the New England Patriots (6-5) on Thursday.

Playing in his first season with the Bills, Miller has totalled eight sacks in 11 games after he helped the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl this past season.

Miller is the NFL’s active leader with 123-and-a-half career sacks, placing him 19th on the league’s all-time list of sacks leaders.

The Bills beat the Chiefs 38-20 in Arrowhead Stadium in Week 5 of 2021, averaging 8.1 yards per play to Kansas City's 5.0, frustrating Patrick Mahomes and intercepting him twice in a display that suggested the balance of power in the AFC was about to shift.

Yet it proved a false dawn, with the Bills unable to contain Mahomes in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and famously failing to prevent him leading the Chiefs down the field in 13 seconds for a game-tying field goal that forced overtime in arguably the finest playoff game in NFL history.

While that game confirmed Josh Allen as existing on Mahomes' level among the NFL elite at quarterback, throwing for 329 yards and four touchdowns, it also was an irritating illustration of the Bills' lack of closers on defense.

The Bills pressured Mahomes 23 times but managed to sack him just twice, a dreadful conversion rate that prompted Buffalo to hand a six-year, $133million contract to 33-year-old edge rusher Von Miller.

Though Buffalo can get out of the contract much earlier, the length of the deal handed to Miller raised eyebrows, with the Bills making a substantial bet on the veteran who played a critical role in the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl run following his mid-season trade from the Denver Broncos maintaining the level that helped him claim a second ring.

Few are likely to be questioning his deal in the wake of his performance on Sunday, however, as 371 days on from their win at Arrowhead last season, Miller helped the Bills repeat the feat, recording two sacks in a Buffalo performance that will substantially boost hope they have a formula to defeat Kansas City in the postseason.

On offense, the Bills leaned on one of the most devastating quarterback-wide receiver connections in the NFL. 

Allen targeted Stefon Diggs 13 times in the Bills' 24-20 win, hooking up with the former Minnesota Viking on 10 occasions as Diggs finished with 148 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Though not all of his targets resulted in a completion, Diggs delivered reinforcement, not that it was needed, of his status as one the game's top separation artists. He registered a burn, which is when a receiver wins his matchup on a play where he is targeted, on 12 of those 13 targets. Only the two receivers who posted 100 per cent burn rates, Tyler Boyd (six targets) and Juju Smith-Schuster (five) fared better than Diggs in that sense in Week 6 (min. five targets).

The volume Diggs receives as Allen's top target and the consistency he shows in creating separation makes for a frightening combination for defenses, and he proved too much for the Chiefs on the Bills' go-ahead drive, Allen finding Diggs for two first-down receptions, including one that set Buffalo up at the Kansas City 28-yard line.

With the Chiefs running a two-high safety zone coverage, Diggs displayed his route-running acumen by attacking the leverage of cornerback Jaylen Watson at the top of his downfield route to buy himself critical extra cushion as he settled in the soft spot in the zone before making a superb adjustment at the catch point.

Allen created extra time for himself by subtly shuffling to his left as Carlos Dunlap pushed the pocket, hanging in there and delivering a high-velocity ball that was further in front of Diggs than intended due to the interior rush from Chris Jones reducing his throwing platform. Diggs put his body on the line by laying out for the ball and survived the contact from Watson and safety Juan Thornhill.

Three plays later, after Allen had remarkably hurdled a defender on a 16-yard rush, he found Dawson Knox on a superbly accurate throw to the endzone to put the Bills ahead for good, the tight end deserving of great credit for the manner in which he worked his way back to the ball at the end of his corner route.

That drive came after Miller had forced the Chiefs off the field with a third-down sack of Mahomes, showcasing his still impressive physical flexibility and his motor to work his way around the corner and past right tackle Andrew Wylie to bring down the quarterback.

And Miller played a critical role in the game-clinching interception that followed on the subsequent drive.

Given Mahomes' exploits in last year's playoff matchup, 64 seconds appeared to be plenty of time for him to drive the Chiefs down the field for a game-winning touchdown following Knox's score. 

Miller, though, provided the finishing touch the Bills lacked in the postseason, winning inside with his lateral quickness to get pressure through the B gap, forcing Mahomes into a late throw to Skyy Moore on a crossing route that corner Taron Johnson read all the way, breaking down from his position in the Bills' zone coverage to intercept the pass and end the game.

While the Bills only improved their sack total from the Divisional Round shoot-out by one, Miller's ability to frequently dominate his pass rush matchups at this point in his career had a direct influence on Buffalo knocking off their biggest challenger for the one seed in the AFC and the team most expect them to meet again in the conference title game.

The rapport between Allen and Diggs and the big-play production of Gabe Davis – who followed up his stunning two touchdown-effort against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 34-yard touchdown reception and leads the league in burn yards per target among receivers with at least 20 targets (16.98) – should ensure the Bills will continue to boast an explosive passing game few in the NFL can rival.

If Miller can supplement that by serving as the closer on a defense that has Pro Bowl talent at every level, the Bills may finally have the recipe to land the knockout blow against the Chiefs when it matters most.

Miller, who injured his right knee in Buffalo’s Thanksgiving Day win at Detroit, will be sidelined for a minimum of four games, though Bills general manager Brandon Beane told reporters the team is optimistic the eight-time Pro Bowler will return before the end of the regular season.

The 33-year-old Miller sustained the injury when his knee bent awkwardly as he was stepped on by a Lions lineman last week, but avoided any torn ligaments and said on Tuesday he was hoping to return after missing only one game.

"He's a competitor, that’s why we love him. That's why he’s so great," Beane said. "The competitor in him – if he could wheel it out there tonight, he would do it.

"We just think in talking to the medical people that the best decision right now is to give this time, and that gives him the best opportunity to help us down the stretch."

Miller will be eligible to return for Buffalo’s final two regular-season games, a Monday-night clash with the Bengals in Cincinnati on January 2 and a rematch with the Patriots in Buffalo six days later.

The NFL’s active leader with 123.5 sacks, Miller leads the Bills in that category with eight in 11 games in 2022. It is the eighth consecutive season the 11-year veteran has registered eight or more sacks.

Miller, who signed a six-year, $120million contract with the Bills in March after helping the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl, also has been quite durable over the course of his career.

A torn ACL did limit him to nine games with the Denver Broncos in 2013, but he has missed three games in seven-plus seasons since.

Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, is out indefinitely after being carted off the field during Buffalo’s 28-25 Thanksgiving Day win in Detroit.

The 32-year-old is expected to miss the Bills' December 1 game against the New England Patriots at the very least, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, but the team is still awaiting an official prognosis.

The injury was initially called a knee sprain, indicating some level of tendon or ligament damage.

Playing in his first season with the Bills, Miller has totalled eight sacks in 11 games after he helped the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl last season.

Miller is the NFL's active leader with 123.5 career sacks, placing him 19th on the league's all-time list of sack leaders.

The Broncos exercised the $18million option to pick up eight-time NFL Pro Bowler Miller, 31, for 2021 earlier this week.

Miller's future was clouded after missing the whole of 2020 with an ankle injury and being the subject of a criminal investigation in the offseason, which ultimately led to no charges.

The Broncos have since committed to Miller and are expecting big things from the Super Bowl champion and MVP.

"What he's brought since he's been here, he can rush the passer," Paton said of Miller.

"The tape I watched, he still had the juice before he got injured. Pass rushers are a premium, and he's special. He's a special pass rusher.

"You look at some of the great pass rushers of all time, they're rushing the passer well into their 30s.

"Von's been working and I think he's going to have a Pro Bowl-type season."

Miller is still working his way back from the long-term ankle injury which kept him out of 2020, but Paton was adamant they always wanted to sign him.

"Von's been a priority," Paton said. "We wanted Von here since I was here. We were going to try to do that any way we could.

"Had good conversations with Joby Branion, his agent, and I've spoken with Von. We ended up just exercising the option.

"We wanted Von Miller. We wanted Von to be a Bronco."

There have been nationwide protests in the United States after Floyd – an African-American man – died in police custody in Minneapolis last week.

Broncos star Von Miller was involved in the march through downtown Denver during a 'Black Lives Matter' protest – the Super Bowl champion and MVP joined by the likes of team-mates Kareem Jackson and Drew Lock.

"The time is always right to do what's right," Miller said. "Once we have awareness, we gotta come up out of oblivion.... We've got to use our moral compass to make decisions on what's right. Black, white -- it doesn't matter.

"... I'm proud of these guys. I'm proud of Denver. I'm proud of the state of Colorado. We've got to keep this going."

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, as well as president and chief executive Joe Ellis and vice-president of strategic initiatives Brittany Bowlen were also in attendance.

Fangio issued an apology following backlash during the week after saying he did not believe racism and discrimination were prevalent in the NFL. 

Broncos linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu addressed the crowd on Saturday and said: "We're out here as players... to be an agent of change with policy and really taking part in the way this country works.

"And that's the only way we're going to fix things -- is if we use our voices to speak out on policies and things that are not allowing our people to be successful to have a chance in life. We can't keep putting a Band-Aid on an old wound."

Miller – a Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler – was among the highest profile American athletes to test positive for COVID-19 in April before being cleared of coronavirus two weeks later.

However, the Broncos linebacker revealed he thought about sitting out the season, which is scheduled to begin in September.

"I thought about it,'' the 31-year-old said on Tuesday. "... I thought about all of my family, I took serious consideration and the things that could possibly happen.

"It's not a 100 per cent bubble like basketball, so there are always going to be holes, but I felt like the job the Broncos were doing to keep us safe was enough for me not to opt out.''

Miller, an asthma sufferer, added: "I did [have trouble], it was hard for me to get my wind back, probably for two or three weeks after the virus.

"During the virus I lost a lot of weight -- everybody is not the same, but for me I lost my taste and smell, I couldn't really, like, eat and when you can't taste or smell you kind of lose your appetite... It was tough, no doubt about it, it was tough.''

"I just thought about it, I just really through about all the things that could possibly happen,'' Miller continued. "I thought about this season is different, I thought about -- I weighed the positives and negatives and just came to my own decision that I could play.

"But I thought about me having asthma... I feel like every player should do that, I feel like every player should think about everything they could do.''

The Broncos are set to open their season against the Tennessee Titans on September 14.

Broncos star Miller, 31, missed the entire 2020 campaign due to an ankle injury, while he has a contract option guaranteeing $7million of his $18m salary for 2021.

The Broncos have until March 16 to exercise the option on Super Bowl champion Miller, who signed a six-year, $114.5m deal in 2016.

New Broncos GM Paton said the team are working with Miller's agent amid suggestions of a potential contract re-structure.

"We want to bring Von back; we're still working through that," Paton told reporters on Thursday.

"I don't want to get into everything, but we want to bring him back."

There is also a legal issue involving veteran linebacker Miller, with Paton insisting he would let the process "play out" and would not discuss the topic.

"Obviously the legal process, what he's going through, it's a serious situation obviously," Paton said.

"I don't know all the details, but we respect what's going on. We do want Von back."

The Broncos finished bottom of the AFC West Conference in 2020, with a 5-11 record.

Miller – an NFL Super Bowl MVP and eight-time Pro Bowler – was among the highest profile American athletes to test positive for coronavirus on April 16.

However, the Broncos star used Twitter to announce he is coronavirus-free on Thursday.

Miller tweeted, "Got my results back. I'm 'negative' for COVID-19".

The 31-year-old told KUSA-TV in Denver last month that he began coughing about six days before making the announcement and went for a test after consulting with the Broncos medical team.  

Recently a unanimous pick to the NFL's All-Decade team of the 2010s, Miller was the second active player to acknowledge testing positive.

Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was the first player after New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton revealed in March that he tested positive for COVID-19.

The Super Bowl 50 MVP is resting comfortably at home and is reportedly in good spirits. He plans to address the public on Friday. The Broncos have been aware that Miller was ill.

Miller is the second NFL player in as many days to have a positive test for coronavirus made public, joining Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen, whose case was confirmed on Wednesday.

Allen first tested positive for the virus three weeks ago after losing his sense of smell. No further details have been released about the nature of Miller's symptoms or situation.

The delay between Allen's diagnosis and its announcement to the public means there very well could be other members of the NFL community who either have COVID-19 or have already recovered from it.

The Rams shut down their entire team complex after Allen's positive test and several people who had contact with him were placed under a 14-day quarantine. The team facility has since opened to select personnel.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was the first major name in NFL circles to have a positive test made public, with his diagnosis coming to light on March 19.

Miller is the second NFL player in as many days to have a positive test for coronavirus made public, joining Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen, whose case was confirmed on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Broncos said: "After experiencing flu-like symptoms, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Von has elected to share his diagnosis publicly to emphasise that anyone can be afflicted with coronavirus.

"Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation. He remains under the care of team doctors, who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for Von and our community.

"Von is the first member of the Broncos' organisation known to have tested positive for COVID-19."

Allen first tested positive for the virus three weeks ago after losing his sense of smell.

The delay between Allen's diagnosis and its announcement to the public means there very well could be other members of the NFL community who either have COVID-19 or have already recovered from it.

The Rams shut down their entire team complex after Allen's positive test and several people who had contact with him were placed under a 14-day quarantine. The team facility has since opened to select personnel.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was the first major name in NFL circles to have a positive test made public, with his diagnosis coming to light on March 19.

Shortly after Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen was revealed as the first known active NFL player to have contracted the virus, it was confirmed that Miller had also tested positive.

The Broncos announced eight-time Pro Bowler Miller, who was the MVP of Super Bowl 50, is in self-isolation at home and is being cared for by team doctors.

In a post on his Instagram story, Miller thanked those who have offered their support.

"Thanks for the love everybody," he wrote.

"That's dope! AF! I'm going to do whatever I have to do to get thru this!

"Take this seriously. It's definitely FOR REAL".

Rams offensive lineman Allen revealed the details of his battle against coronavirus in a Q&A on The Athletic in which he said he was unable to smell anything, including smelling salts.

"I tested positive three weeks ago then I actually tested positive again last week," he said.

"I won't have to go take the test again though because I've been symptom-free from the flu for a period of time now."

On how long doctors had told him it would be before he gets his sense of taste and smell back, Allen added: "Initially they told me it may not come back for six-to-eight months but everything is just a guess at this point.

"I have not gotten it as bad as other people have. It is ruining a lot of lives.

"But for me it is just a flu and the loss of smell and taste. I'm lucky."

Despite coming out on the losing side, the Lions took the lead in the first quarter, re-took the lead in the fourth quarter, and after the Bills were able to pull back in front, they clawed their way down the field to tie it with 23 seconds remaining.

But every time the Lions thought they had the visiting Bills on the ropes, Josh Allen and company were always able to find the answer, using those final 23 seconds to make their way into field goal range and escape with the win in regulation.

Coming into the game without two key starters on defense with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and pass-rusher Greg Rousseau out hurt, their injury list received another unfortunate edition in the second quarter when future Hall-of-Famer Von Miller was carted off with a knee sprain.

Touching on how the Bills continued to push through all the adversity they faced, top wide receiver Stefon Diggs said it comes from everybody's belief in the next-man-up to get the job done.

"That next-man mindset is real," he said. "I hate to preach it, sound like a broken record, but guys came in and played at a high level. 

"We just preach it to everybody to do the job. You don't need to do more than your job and you do your one 11th, we'll find a way.

"I tried to tell the guys everything in the past is the past. We didn't get off to the best start, but you keep rolling with the punches. 

"Things aren't gonna be perfect; I'm riding with my guy [Allen]. We just had to try to get on the same page, every week is different… things didn't happen perfectly, but we figured it out."

Allen echoed that sentiment, and highlighted the mental fortitude of kicker Tyler Bass to come out and nail the game-winner shortly after missing an extra-point.

"Guys are resilient, the ups and downs of an NFL game, that's a good team playing very well, playing good football right now," he said. 

"But again, guys just continuing to grind, guys going down and stepping up finding a way. I'm proud of our guys for doing that.

"I don't think you understand how big it is for a guy to do that in this league, for [Bass] just to feel that rollercoaster of emotions, to go step up for our team and nail it."

Head coach Sean McDermott also made sure to praise his kicker, saying he knew he could trust him despite the previous miss.

"You're going to have some [misses]," he said. "But to be able to let a player reset after making a mistake and come out, that's how you earn trust when you do that, right? 

"When you can give a player that second chance right there. I didn't have to mess with him. I knew he's so mentally tough, and he showed it again today."

The Bills are now 8-3 and atop the AFC East, with a Thursday fixture on the road against the New England Patriots up next.

All eyes were on debutants Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller after the high-flying Rams (7-3) acquired the star duo to boost their Super Bowl bid.

But the 49ers (4-5) spoiled the party – Garoppolo throwing two touchdown passes as San Francisco celebrated just their second home in the past two seasons, keeping their playoff hopes alive on Monday.

The 49ers, who have now won five straight games against the Rams – the longest active streak by either side, matching their 2008-10 run – had last emerged victorious on home soil in October 2020, also over the Rams.

Matthew Stafford (26-of-41 passing for 243 yards, a TD, two interceptions and two sacks) struggled as the Rams dropped back-to-back games, with the Los Angeles quarterback intercepted by Jimmie Ward on the opening two drives of the contest.

Ward's second interception led to a 27-yard touchdown return as he became the seventh player since 2000 with two interceptions – including a pick-six, in the opening quarter after Garoppolo (15-of-19 passing for 182 yards, two TDs and no interceptions) had led an 18-play, 93-yard TD drive less than a minute earlier.

Stafford has now thrown a pick-six in back-to-back games for the first time since his rookie season in 2009.

Leading 14-0 following the first quarter, the 49ers maintained that buffer as the teams traded touchdowns prior to half-time – Stafford throwing a 10-yard pass to Tyler Higbee before Deebo Samuel ran for an eight-yard score.

After Robbie Gould's 50-yard field goal stretched the lead in the third period, Samuel and Garoppolo combined for a 40-yard touchdown pass to put the 49ers out of reach early in the fourth.

Beckham and Miller will make their second appearance since joining the Rams when the 7-3 Los Angeles franchise visit Lambeau Field.

After his release from the Cleveland Browns, Beckham debuted in the 31-10 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10 before the team's bye – the three-time Pro Bowler caught two passes for 18 yards.

Miller – acquired from the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster trade – was inactive for his first game before debuting against the 49ers, playing 45 of 68 snaps while recording two tackles.

McVay is anticipating an increased role for Beckham and Miller against the 8-3 Packers this week.

"A lot more, hopefully," McVay told reporters on Friday when asked if he expected to get more out of the pair in their second appearance for the Rams.

"Odell [is] just getting more familiar," McVay said. "I mean for him to be able to even play in the game against the Niners is an incredible credit to him."

"It helps because he's getting up to speed mentally," McVay added. "You don't take for granted how important those physical reps and the rapport that he and Matthew are continuing to develop is and so because we'll do a little bit more reps today, we'll end up getting about the same amount that we would in a normal week, so it will be a good thing, but he's done great."

McVay said: "Von did a good job, played a lot of snaps. I think he'll be that much more healthy, that much more fresh coming off the bye and giving his ankle another handful of days to continue to make progress and steps in the right direction without having any setbacks over these last couple of weeks."

Miller has been dealing with an ankle issue and the Super Bowl MVP added: "I'm feeling pretty good, feel a little bit more comfortable with the playbook, ankle is a whole lot healthier. So the bye week was great."

The Rams have lost two straight games following defeats to the 49ers and Tennessee Titans. According to Stats Perform, it is the first time the team have lost consecutive games with both being by double digits since McVay became head coach in 2017.

Miller, 32, joined the Rams from the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster trade on Monday, which significantly boosts McVay's 7-1 side and their NFL Super Bowl prospects.

A Super Bowl winner and MVP, Miller arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday and underwent a physical and onboarding but sat out practice on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.

Miller missed the Broncos' Week 8 game due to an ankle injury suffered against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, putting his availability to face the Titans in doubt.

"He'll do some limited work off to the side, just getting a feel for where his ankle is at. He hasn't been with us," McVay told reporters about Miller on Wednesday.

"Want to be smart, want to be able to ease him back in. We'll see what that looks like a day at a time."

McVay said the eight-time Pro Bowler was eager to play for his new team.

"Oh yeah, he's going to do everything in his power to try to play," McVay said. "But I think there's an element of let's take it a day at a time and let's be smart, let's get a feel for how he's doing, but this guy is an elite competitor and he definitely wants to be able to do that."

Miller has a pressure rate of 24.8 per cent, which was well above the pre-Week 8 average of 17.2 per cent for edge rushers.

McVay also revealed quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Robert Woods should both face the Titans, despite not practicing on Wednesday.

"We're fairly banged up so we're going to take a little bit more modified approach to practice this week," McVay said, adding later, "it's more about just being smart, being safe."

The Rams beat the Houston Texans 38-22 on the road last week after leading 38-0 heading into the fourth quarter. They are one of two teams (also the Dallas Cowboys) to score at least 20 points in every game this season, according to Stats Perform.

Meanwhile, the Rams have scored points in every half dating back to Week 13 in 2019 – their streak of 58 consecutive halves is the second-longest active streak (Baltimore, 135), per Stats Perform.

The Titans (6-2) will be without running back Derrick Henry, who underwent foot surgery on Tuesday.

According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, Miller is saying his goodbyes to the Broncos after Denver agreed to deal him to the Rams for a pair of day-two draft choices.

The Broncos, according to Schefter, are paying $9million of Miller's remaining $9.7m salary as part of the trade.

Miller is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but the Rams will hope his addition to the defense can propel them to a Super Bowl title that has eluded them since the 1999 season.

He joins a top-heavy defense that has taken a step back in 2021 but boasts fearsome stars in the form of defensive tackle Aaron Donald, regarded by many as the best player in the NFL, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

And the Rams can afford to be confident they are getting a player still capable of delivering the pass-rush production that has defined his stellar career.

Since being drafted by the Broncos in 2011 with the second overall pick, Miller has recorded 110.5 sacks, the most in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl 50 MVP award as he played a key role in delivering the Lombardi Trophy to Denver at the end of the 2015 season.

Miller was inactive for the Broncos' Week 8 win over the Washington Football Team but has done an excellent job of creating pressure this campaign.

He has a pressure rate of 24.8 per cent, which was well above the pre-Week 8 average of 17.2 per cent for edge rushers.

Miller is set to make his Rams debut on Sunday in a primetime clash with a Tennessee Titans team that will be without running back Derrick Henry, who may miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

According to reports, Miller is guaranteed $45m at signing, with the contract including $51.5m in total guarantees.

Miller, 33, was widely tipped to return to the Los Angeles Rams after joining the team in a mid-season trade and helping them win their first Super Bowl since returning from St Louis.

Instead, he signed what stands as the fifth-largest contract for a defensive player by total value.

Miller is a seven-time All-Pro, a Super Bowl MVP and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

He is coming off a season in which he reaffirmed his undoubted prowess as one of the league's premier edge rushers.

Miller finished 2021 with 9.5 sacks for the Denver Broncos and the Rams, racking up five for Los Angeles in the final four games of the regular season.

His strong play down the stretch carried into the Rams' triumphant postseason, Miller registering a sack in the wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before sacking Joe Burrow twice in their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

He finished the season fifth among edge rushers with at least 100 one on one matchups with a stunt-adjusted pass rush win rate of 43.40, according to Stats Perform data.

While Miller is still at the top of his game, the Bills also made a move to reinvigorate the career of a player on the offensive side of the ball, signing tight end O.J. Howard on a one-year deal.

A first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017, Howard has played an extremely limited role in the Bucs' recent success, tallying just 25 catches in the last two seasons.

Having averaged 16.6 yards per reception across his first two seasons in the league, the Bills will hope they can help him recapture that explosive early form and provide yet more support for quarterback Josh Allen after their phenomenal offensive performance in a memorable overtime shootout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Miller appeared to bend his knee awkwardly after he had his foot stepped on as he tried to get to Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

The Pro Bowl outside linebacker was able to limp off but spent time in the medical tent before being carted to the locker room.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott was unclear about the extent of Miller's knee issue, which forced him out of the game with less than three minutes left in the first half.

"I don't know," McDermott told reporters when asked about Miller's status. "I only connected with [head athletic trainer] Nate [Breske] at half-time, so I don't have anything to give you on that."

Miller was spotted leaving the X-ray room at Ford Field but was not wearing a moon boot nor using crutches.

The 33-year-old, who joined the Bills in the offseason from the Los Angeles Rams, has a team-high eight sacks this season. He entered Week 12 ranked second in the NFL with 37 pressures.

The 7-1 Rams bolstered their defence by striking a blockbuster trade for Miller from the Denver Broncos on Monday, although the 32-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season under the deal.

The Rams gave up second and third-round picks in 2022 to the Broncos for the Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl 50 MVP, and will pay $9million of the $9.7m Miller is owed on his contract for the remainder of the season.

Miller's arrival is anticipated to substantially propel the Rams towards winning their first Super Bowl since 1999 but Snead insisted it was not an all-in approach to win an elusive title.

"We're actually looking at this from a standpoint of how soon can he help us, can he help us if we're fortunate enough to continue going and make the 2021 tournament, how can he help us there," Snead told reporters on Tuesday. "And then there's a long-term vision for Von as well."

On the draft picks exchanged, Snead added: "I even got a mug that my kids have given me about what I think about draft picks. I get the shallow narrative, it's fun and narrative but we like to think we use our picks innovatively and creatively… We're going to get four more compensatory picks based on players that signed elsewhere last year so we should have around eight total picks."

Miller joins a top-heavy defence that but boasts fearsome stars in the form of defensive tackle Aaron Donald, regarded by many as the best player in the NFL, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams defence leads the NFL with 25 sacks this season.

Since being drafted by the Broncos with the second overall pick in 2011, Miller has recorded 110.5 sacks – the most in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl 50 MVP award as he played a key role in delivering the Lombardi Trophy to Denver at the end of the 2015 season.

"Outside linebacker, very important in our defence especially someone who is or has a pedigree of affecting the passer like he has," Snead said. "We did feel like that adding Von to that front seven mix would be a player that would stress the protection, stress the opponent, the one-on-one matchup."

Miller is set to make his Rams debut on Sunday in a primetime clash with the Tennessee Titans, who will be without running back Derrick Henry, who may miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.