Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was named a starter for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He'll line up alongside Taylor Rapp in the Buffalo secondary. It's the first start for Hamlin since he collapsed on the field in January 2023. His heartbeat was restored on the field by the team's medical staff. The 26-year-old was medically cleared for football activities in August of last year but played sparingly in his five active games. Head coach Sean McDermott pointed to Hamlin's consistency as a reason he won the starting job.
Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin is expected to be active in Week 4 against the division-rival Miami Dolphins on Sunday for the first time since suffering cardiac arrest in a Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. A spot on the team's 53-man roster opened up with safety Jordan Poyer (knee) ruled out this weekend. Hamlin played in all three of Buffalo's preseason games but was inactive for the first three regular season games. During the preseason, Hamlin played 73 defensive snaps and 19 snaps on special teams. The 25-year-old's story is an amazing comeback story after a scary life-threatening incident on the field. Buffalo's secondary is pretty deep, so as long as they remain healthy for the most part, Hamlin could be inactive for much of the year.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (heart) took part in his first fully padded practice at training camp on Monday for the first time since Jan. 2. "I'm just thankful," Hamlin said. "I'm just blessed to be able to do what I wanted to do as a kid again, at the highest level, after going through such a traumatic situation. To be able to come out here and compete again at the highest level in the world. That's such a blessing." It was a significant step for Hamlin after he suffered cardiac arrest on Jan. 2. The 25-year-old will continue to practice on a daily basis with Buffalo's defense, but he's likely to fill more of a reserve role in the secondary with Micah Hyde back with the team this year.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (heart) is fully cleared to participate in training camp, which is obviously an incredible development. The 25-year-old suffered a major health scare in Week 17 of the 2022 season after a big hit to the chest that sent him into cardiac arrest. Just over six months later, he's a full-go for football activities. In two seasons with Buffalo, Hamlin has racked up 93 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble as a reserve safety. He'll start the 2023 campaign behind Micah Hyde in what should be one of the better defenses in the NFL.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (heart) was a full participant in organized team activities on Tuesday, which is an incredible development after his scary injury last season in Week 17 on Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest, causing him to spend a week in the hospital and miss the remainder of the 2022 season. Thankfully, he is fine and is back on the practice field. Obviously, teams don't suit up in pads or take contact during OTAs, and it remains to be seen what Hamlin's timetable could be for returning to live game action.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane told reporters on Tuesday that after visiting with medical specialists last week, safety Damar Hamlin has been cleared to resume full activities. It's great news for Hamlin, who went into cardiac arrest on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals three months ago on Jan. 2. The 25-year-old has now recovered enough in a short amount of time from a scary situation that there's a real chance that he will be able to continue his NFL career. The Bills will likely take it very slow with Hamlin if he does want to keep playing, and it remains to be seen if he'll have any limitations on the field once training camp begins this summer and for the 2023 regular season. If he's fully healthy and active this year, Hamlin would provide secondary depth for Buffalo.
Bills Will Support Damar Hamlin About Return Decision
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin hopes to return, and the team pledges to help him while being mindful of the risk. Speaking to NFL Network's Judy Battista, head coach Sean McDermott indicated that the franchise has already discussed the mental and emotional components of playing again with Hamlin. "The best thing we can do is support him all the way through this," commented McDermott. "I'm ready to support him in any direction he decides to go, even if it's last minute." The 25-year-old appeared in 15 games last season, totaling 91 tackles and 1.5 sacks. However, he went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday Night Football meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals in January and was placed on life support. Fortunately, he's now out of the hospital and appears healthy. With that said, there will be a lot of hurdles to get over before Hamlin is back on the field, so his availability for the 2023-24 campaign (and beyond) is up in the air.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said that safety Damar Hamlin continues to see specialists. He has received good news to this point, but he still has "two or three more he has to see." The team's medical people continue to go through the process with Hamlin. "Assuming he gets full clearance I know he'd want to play," Beane said. Hamlin finished the 2022 season on Injured Reserve after suffering from cardiac arrest on the field on Jan. 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old's playing future remains undecided as he continues to meet with medical professionals.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has started making great strides in his recovery from a cardiac arrest earlier this month, but he still has a long ways to go in his recovery, according to his family spokesman Jordon Rooney. "Despite being out of the hospital, Damar still has a lengthy recovery. Damar still requires oxygen and is having his heart monitored regularly. He has visited with the team a few times but he still gets winded very easily. He's upbeat and positive and ready to continue to overcome this," Rooney said in a statement. Hamlin didn't attend the wild-card win over the Miami Dolphins but was watching remotely. The 24-year-old first visited the team last Saturday at their walkthrough practice. It's still unknown if Hamlin will be able to continue his playing career.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo, NY, after being admitted on Monday. He went through a comprehensive medical evaluation and a series of cardiac, neurological and vascular testing on Tuesday. "We have completed a series of tests and evaluations, and in consultation with the team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be safely discharged to continue his rehabilitation at home and with the Bills," physician Jamie Nadler said. It's more excellent news for Hamlin after he had a cardiac arrest on the field in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old is on his way to recovery, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to continue his playing career.
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