Von Miller remains mum with four-game suspension, instead focusing on offense after rejoining top-ranked AFC Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The last thing Von Miller wanted to talk about when he returned to practice Wednesday was the reason for his absence — a four-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s rules of conduct.

Besides saying he holds no ill will toward the NFL, Miller declined to say whether he was surprised by the discipline or whether he was considering appealing it.

“I’m in a great place. I’m just happy to have it all behind me,” said Miller, who joined the AFC East’s leading Bills in preparation for Sunday’s matchup with the Dolphins. “I really don’t even have to touch things like that anymore.”

Miller was referring to what happened 11 months ago when he turned himself in to police in a Dallas suburb after being accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend, who is also the mother of his two children.

Miller has previously disputed the allegations, calling them false and exaggerated. Without filing any charges, Miller opened training camp in July, stating that he considered the case closed based on feedback from his lawyers.

The lack of charges did not prevent the NFL from punishing Miller based on its own investigation. A person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the suspension was directly related to a complaint filed against the player. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league did not disclose why the player was disciplined.

Miller said he felt refreshed after the break. He said he spent the first two weeks with his father, family and children in Texas before returning to the Bills facility, where he was allowed to practice individually and attend team meetings.

The 35-year-old looks forward to picking up where he left off, building on the confidence he’s built with three sacks in four games, which will bring his NFL active tackles total to 126 1/2. The production was encouraging for Miller, who didn’t get a sack in 14 games last year, including the playoffs, while still recovering from right knee surgery.

“For me, it was just an opportunity to prove it to myself,” Miller said.

“To come back and really start it all over again, I gained a lot of confidence in my game, in what I can do and what I can bring to this team. And that’s what I focus on,” he added. “There’s really nothing negative from me. I have all the opportunity in the world to go out and achieve all of my goals.

Buffalo’s defense proved solid despite missing several regulars and posted its best statistical performance in multiple categories following a 31-10 victory in Seattle. Buffalo (6-2) allowed season lows in yards (233) and rushing (32), and Seattle converted 1 of 7 third-down opportunities.

Buffalo’s bag production has declined in Miller’s absence. The team has totaled eight sacks in the last four games after totaling 12 in the first four.

“It’s getting a Hall of Famer back,” edge rusher Greg Rousseau said of Miller’s return. “It doesn’t get any better than this. That’s why we’re all excited.”

Coordinator Bobby Babich expressed confidence that Miller will have a seamless return to his specialized role of filling the field primarily in transition situations.

“I don’t think we’ll miss a beat,” Babich said. “Of course, the more effective attackers you have, the better off you will be.”

Another benefit for Miller was the chance to further strengthen his surgically repaired knee, as well as heal any pain he had been experiencing since the first four weeks of the season.

“It’s like I’m starting the season all over again and I’m ready to go,” he said.

Miller reiterated his focus on the future when asked about his reaction to news of his suspension following a 35-10 loss to Baltimore. It was a game in which he played a season-low nine snaps, as the Ravens had no reason to fold once the score got out of hand.

“I’m just grateful to be here and I appreciate being here with the Buffalo Bills and going back to a really good team,” Miller said. “All I have to do is just do my part and nothing more, nothing less. And all the rest is behind me. I can just focus on football and play the best football I can.”

NOTES: Recently acquired WR Amari Cooper was limited in practice due to a wrist injury. … Starting LB Terrel Bernard (ankle/chest) and WR Curtis Samuel (chest) also had limited practice access after Sunday’s break.