Things continue to progress in a positive direction regarding the health of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. According to the Buffalo Bills, Hamlin made “remarkable improvement” over the last 24 hours despite remaining in critical condition.
Hamlin appears to be neurologically intact, something that was a great area of concern considering Hamlin was not able to breathe on his own after suffering cardiac arrest on the playing field. Hamlin’s lungs are also healing.
“Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours,” the team said. “While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress. We are grateful for the love and support we have received.”
Hamlin’s father, Mario, spoke to the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday via Zoom as the team resumed light team activities.
Last Monday’s matchup between the Bills and Bengals was postponed in the first quarter after Hamlin collapsed on the field. He received treatment — including CPR — while laying motionless for over 10 minutes. He received oxygen as he was placed in the ambulance and taken to the hospital. Hamlin was not breathing on his own at all Monday night.
Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin got up to his feet, then passed out and fall to the ground.
Hamlin is 24 years old and was drafted by the Bills out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2021.
The Bills-Bengals game will not resume this week, the NFL announced on Tuesday morning, and there is yet to be a decision made on what will happen. Though the league is kicking around possibilities to resume the game after Week 18, most journalists covering the league believe the game will ultimately be canceled.
The league is not planning on making changes to the Week 18 schedule. The Bills are next scheduled to host the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Bengals are scheduled to host the Baltimore Ravens.