One of their top defensive players won’t be available for the Buffalo Bills to begin the 2023 season.

The Bills are keeping seasoned linebacker Von Miller on the physically unable to perform list through Tuesday’s deadline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, making him unable to participate in the first four games of the season.

Miller is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained on Thanksgiving Day of last season, which prevented him from playing more than 11 games. He added 21 total tackles, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and eight sacks to tie for the team lead. The 34-year-old’s six-year, $120 million contract with Buffalo, which he inked in the summer, is entering its second season.

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Miller fell short of his goal of being recovered in time to play in Week 1. Earlier this summer, he made it clear that he intended to be ready for the 2023 season opener against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Miller told Mike Klis of Channel 9NEWS in Denver in June:

“You know I love guarantees. It’s me. It’s Von. I love guarantees. I want to play. In 2013, I had [ACL] surgery in January and I played at the beginning of August in the preseason. So that put me around seven months, eight months. And 10 years removed from that, 2023, I have a whole new outlook. I know exactly where I’m supposed to be at two months, four months, six months and in the position where I’m at now. I feel great, I feel comfortable. I feel like I’ll be ready to go at the start of the season.”

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In addition to the opener against the Jets, Miller will at least miss matchups against the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins. He will be eligible to return in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.