Three weeks after Buffalo security Damar Hamlin collapsed on the area throughout a recreation in Cincinnati, the Bills and Bengals meet once more in the present day in the divisional spherical of the N.F.L. playoffs, at 3 p.m. in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The final time the two groups had been on the area collectively, on Jan. 2, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after making what seemed to be a routine deal with of receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin stood up after the play however then collapsed to the turf. Medical personnel administered CPR and restarted Hamlin’s coronary heart earlier than taking him off the area in an ambulance, as gamers and coaches seemed on in anguish.
Since then, Hamlin, 24, has made regular progress. He was launched from a hospital in Buffalo on Jan. 11 and visited the Bills for the first time final weekend prematurely of their wild-card playoff recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins. Coach Sean McDermott mentioned final week that Hamlin had been at the staff facility “almost daily.”
“That experience, we’ll carry that with us,” McDermott mentioned at a information convention. “There’s a challenge to that, but there’s also a lot of good that came from that. And I think right now we need to focus on the positive, and the positives that came out of that, as opposed to the other piece of it.”
The regular-season recreation between the Bills and Bengals was suspended after Hamlin’s collapse, which occurred at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter. The N.F.L. canceled the recreation three days later.
Damar Hamlin’s Collapse
The Buffalo Bills security went into cardiac arrest throughout an N.F.L. recreation in Cincinnati on Jan. 2. He was launched from the hospital on Jan. 11.
Bills gamers mentioned being round Hamlin and seeing his progress has buoyed them, serving to them push ahead throughout what they hope is an extended postseason run. On the line on Sunday is a visit to the A.F.C. championship recreation.
“With guys being able to see a little bit of Damar, guys being able to see him and talk with him, that alleviates most of” the lingering feelings, Bills quarterback Josh Allen mentioned final week.
Hamlin’s actions at the staff facility have nonetheless been restricted. McDermott mentioned earlier final week that he was not but participating in staff conferences and was taking it “one baby step at a time” as he tried to return to each day life after his medical emergency.
Hamlin’s advertising and marketing consultant, Jordon Rooney, advised The Associated Press on Thursday evening that Hamlin nonetheless faces a prolonged rehabilitation. After his collapse, Hamlin spent practically per week in the intensive care unit at a Cincinnati hospital, the place he was intubated for about three days. Hamlin’s neurological perform is unbroken and he is ready to stroll and speak, however the docs who cared for him in Cincinnati mentioned restoration from a life-threatening occasion like the one Hamlin endured can takes weeks or months.
“Damar still requires oxygen and is having his heart monitored regularly to ensure there are no setbacks or after effects,” Rooney mentioned in an announcement. “Though he is able to visit the team’s facility, Damar is not in position to travel often, and requires additional rest to help his body heal.”
Hamlin watched the Bills’ 34-31 win in opposition to the Dolphins at residence together with his dad and mom, Nina and Mario, and his youthful brother, Damir.
Bills security Jordan Poyer mentioned in a information convention final week that the largest emotional hurdle for Hamlin’s teammates to clear was enjoying the New England Patriots six days after Hamlin’s collapse, of their remaining recreation of the common season.
“But ‘D Ham’ is back in the building now,” Poyer mentioned, referring to Hamlin by a nickname. “It’s awesome to see his face, awesome to see him smiling again, so I don’t think this game will be any different.”
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