Bills' Damar Hamlin to be inactive vs. Jets in season opener
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has defied the odds time and time again as he's come back to football after nearly dying on last year's Monday Night Football versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He's worked incredibly hard on and off the field while being the story of the year in the world of sports. But when […]
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has defied the odds time and time again as he's come back to football after nearly dying on last year's Monday Night Football versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
He's worked incredibly hard on and off the field while being the story of the year in the world of sports. But when the Bills take the New York Jets on a much-anticipated AFC East clash, Hamlin will not be taking the field,
Hamlin is expected to be inactive versus the Jets, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Bills safety will be a healthy scratch.
If anything, the news is a reminder of how difficult of a business the NFL really is. In a game where every win is hard-fought and there's no margin for error, decisions have to be made without any sentimentalism.
The Bills have a deep safety room led by Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, with former second-round draft pick Tayor Rapp as the No. 3. That and Cam Lewis' versatility – who was once seen as a potential roster cut – in the defensive backfield allows Buffalo to list Hamlin inactive.
Of course, this game will take place at MetLife Stadium as the Jets' Aaron Rodgers debuts in front of his new fans. You've got to wonder if the Bills will double down on this Hamlin decision next week when the team has its home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It's not an easy decision as the coaching staff understands that Hamlin's status means something more beyond football. And yet, the NFL is a cold, cold business where all that matters on gameday is optimizing decision-making in order to win and not for heartwarming moments.
If the Bills believe their best 48 players for gameday don't include Hamlin, he won't be active next week either.
One thing is for sure: Hamlin's return to football should be celebrated just as much by the Bills Mafia. His story is just as remarkable today as it was yesterday and is truly an inspiring story.
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Featured image via Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
