Bills HC Sean McDermott gives thoughts on Damar Hamlin returning to the field
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said earlier this month that defensive back Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, is "trending in the right direction" to eventually return to the field. "We’ll get him through all [medical consultations], and then we’ll make sure all […]
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said earlier this month that defensive back Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, is "trending in the right direction" to eventually return to the field.
"We’ll get him through all [medical consultations], and then we’ll make sure all of our medical people are hearing all those opinions on each visit and make sure that we’re all on the same page of what it would look like," said Beane to reporters.
Hamlin has made it clear with recent comments that he hopes to return to playing.
"Eventually. That’s always the goal, like I said, as a competitor, you know, I’m trying to do things to keep advancing my situation," said Hamlin in February. "But I’m allowing that to be in God’s hands. I’m just thankful he gave me a second chance."
Bills head coach Sean McDermott spoke to NFL.com's Judy Battista at the annual NFL owners' meetings this weekend and he said that Buffalo is behind Hamlin and they hope he can return to the field.
"I'm ready to support him in any direction he decides to go, even if it's last minute," said McDermott.
"The best thing we can do is support him all the way through this and that is a big piece of it that is, mind, body, and spirit. It's just not physically like, hey in the weight room, it's the mental piece as well," added McDermott.
If Hamlin returns to action, he'd likely serve as a backup to starting safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.
Hamlin, who was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, started 13 games for Buffalo last season before his frightening cardiac arrest against the Bengals.
The former Pittsburgh Panthers standout totaled 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 15 games for the Bills last season.
