Credit: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Buffalo Bills defensive end Von Miller returned to practice Wednesday after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Commissioner Roger Goodell lifted the suspension, which cost Miller Weeks 5 to 8 without pay on Monday.
‘I’m in a great spot. I’m just happy all of that stuff is behind me,” said Miller, who missed Weeks 5 to 8 without pay. “Since I’ve been here with the Buffalo Bills, it’s either been injury or the PUP list or the suspension, and I’m just happy to have all the stuff behind me for the first time in 2½ years and just able to just focus on football.
“… Got nine games left, and once you have something taken away from you — whether it’s football stuff, NFL stuff, league stuff, like what happened over the last month or whether it’s [an] injury — you just have a new appreciation for the sport.”
Related Content: Von Miller Faces Allegations of Assault on Pregnant Woman
Suspension Stems from 2023 Allegations
Miller, 35, had been out following an arrest on Nov. 30, 2023, related to an alleged third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman, which took place during the Bills’ bye week. He turned himself in to Glenn Heights (Texas) Police and was released on $5,000 bond. Miller has denied the allegations, calling them “100% false.” Although the NFL conducted its own investigation, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office confirmed last month that the case was closed with no charges filed.
When asked if he had considered appealing the suspension, Miller declined to comment, focusing instead on the season ahead. “I’m just trying to bury that and put it behind me,” Miller, 35, said. “… Got a 6-2 team. Josh Allen‘s playing like an MVP. That’s our counterpart. They put up points. I’m able to pass rush and do all the things that I do. So that’s where my focus is.”
Team Support During Reintegration
Miller’s return comes with a temporary roster exemption, giving the Bills time to adjust their lineup. Miller has been allowed to be around the team facility for the last two weeks under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, a setup designed to help players reintegrate. Coach Sean McDermott noted the benefits, saying, “From what I’ve seen over the last couple of weeks, [being in the facility] gives the player a chance to, number one, from a mental health standpoint, be back around his teammates,” coach Sean McDermott said. “And then number two, from a physical health standpoint, do what he can to get himself ramped up a little bit as he comes off the suspension.”
Goodell had previously considered placing Miller on the commissioner’s exempt list, which would have removed him from the active roster. However, he decided against it based on the facts at the time.
Bills Prepare for AFC Playoff Push
Since joining the Bills in 2022 on a six-year, $120 million contract, Miller has appeared in 27 regular-season games and two playoff games. He suffered a significant ACL injury in 2022 and stated during training camp that he “probably shouldn’t have played” last season due to lingering issues. Miller restructured his contract this offseason, taking a pay cut that saved the Bills $8.645 million in cap space.
“It’ll be good to have Von back,” McDermott said. “He’s been out four weeks and never sure what that brings, right, in terms of staying refined, staying polished. But I’m sure he’s been chomping at the bit to get back. It’ll be nice to have him back.
“But again, it’s never about one person, especially when you play up front. It’s about the sum of the parts and it’s about four guys rushing as one. And that’ll be important for us as we move forward as defense overall.”
While Miller was out, the Bills went 3-1 and currently lead the AFC East by 3½ games as they prepare to face the Miami Dolphins at home. Miller made a strong impact in his first four games this season with three sacks, and the team is eager to see what he’ll bring to the field in the final stretch.
Related Content: Von Miller Denies Assault Allegations, Calls Them ‘100% False’
This report used information from ESPN.
