Security for Bills Hamlin present but not taking part in the first few days of volunteer practice

The Buffalo Bills are taking it easy on safety Damar Hamlin, who is barred from the team’s first few days of voluntary practices about five months after having a near-death experience on the field, the Bills said Tuesday. head coach Sean McDermott.

“We’re taking it one day at a time and just supporting Damar in every way possible,” McDermott said from Orchard Park, New York, when asked about Hamlin’s condition, noting that the player is present at the facility. . Otherwise, the coach did not provide any timeline for when Hamlin can begin on-field sessions a month after being cleared to resume his NFL career.

Hamlin, 25, went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the first quarter of a game in Cincinnati and being broadcast to a national prime-time audience. January 1st. 2.

The Bills’ slow approach to Hamlin’s practice involvement seems in line with how they have helped other players coming off serious injuries. And it’s understandable about Hamlin, given the time he missed during a lengthy recovery process that limited him from much physical exertion before reporting to the team’s voluntary training program last month.

Hamlin still required a ventilator to help him breathe for several weeks after he was released from the hospital in mid-January.

He has made it clear that he wants to play again. Saying his heart was still in the game, Hamlin announced his return to the NFL a little over a month after the Bills and several independent specialists cleared him to play.

‘Life changing event’

Not wanting to give in to fear and worry, Hamlin said there was little chance of the episode being repeated as he revealed that specialists agreed his heart stopped as a result of commotio cordis, which is a direct hit to a specific point on the beat. of the heart causing cardiac arrest.

“This was a life-changing event, but it’s not the end of my story,” Hamlin said last month.

With his focus now on resuming football, Hamlin’s next steps will be no different than any other NFL player as he tries to secure a roster spot entering his third season. The Bills have two more weeks of voluntary practices before opening a mandatory minicamp in mid-June, followed by the opening of training camp in late July.

Hamlin’s recovery has been called remarkable by the doctors who treated him. He spent the first few days of his recovery in a medically induced coma at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He quickly recovered his motor and cognitive skills, and spent 10 days in hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo before being released.

Hamlin’s collapse sparked an outpouring of support from across the NFL and across North America, with donations made to Hamlin’s charity exceeding $9 million dollars.

And his recovery has been celebrated, with the player honored by the NFL, NFL Players Association and most recently selected by the Pro Football Writers of America as the recipient of the George Halas Award, which is given to a player, coach or NFL staff member. who overcomes adversity to succeed.