Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has shown what doctors treating him call “a marked improvement over the past 24 hours,” the team announced Thursday, three days after the player suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated in the field.
“Although he is still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact,” the Bills said in a statement. “His lungs are continuing to heal and he’s making steady progress.”
Hamlin’s agent, Ronald Butler, told The Associated Press that Hamlin was awake and able to hold the hands of family members outside his hospital.
The developments came as the Bills were scheduled to return to practice Thursday for the first time since Hamlin collapsed when his heart stopped after making a tackle and he was rushed to University Medical Center Cincinnati during the first quarter of Buffalo’s game against the Bengals on Monday night.
The second-year player has spent the last two days sedated and in critical condition.
Bills rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam posted a message on his Twitter account Thursday saying Hamlin is “on the mend, awake and showing signs of improvement.”
The Bills’ announcement comes as they prepare to play a home game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, and with the team still dealing with the shock of seeing their teammate collapse on the field, the his heart does not beat
After returning home early Tuesday after the game was suspended, the Bills held meetings and a walkthrough without any media availability Wednesday. Players were seen arriving at the facility on Thursday, although the team has yet to release a practice schedule.
Scores of players around the league — former teammates and those who didn’t meet Hamlin until Monday — expressed their support, even as they said they were shocked by what happened.
Colts safety Rodney Thomas made the two-hour drive from Indianapolis to Cincinnati on Tuesday just to be with his former high school teammate.
“He’s a fighter. I know he’s a fighter and there’s no other thought in my mind other than him leaving under his own power,” Thomas said Wednesday.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, who spent the previous four seasons playing in Buffalo, was treated to dinner at the hospital for Hamlin’s family and medical staff.
Hamlin’s marketing representative, Jordon Rooney, said Wednesday that the player’s family was heartened by the words and acts of kindness.
“They’re very happy now,” Rooney said. “Damar remains his first concern. But for them, they always look at how they can turn a somewhat worrying situation into a good one. The bounce back from that, for him and his family is going to be incredible.”
What remains unclear is whether the NFL will reschedule the Bills’ game against the Bengals, which has major implications for determining first place in the AFC. The playoffs will open on January 14.
The Chiefs (13-3) have a half-game lead over Buffalo (12-3), and the Bills own the tiebreaker after beating Kansas City this season. The Bengals (11-4) are currently the third seed and have also defeated the Chiefs.
Hamlin was injured in the first quarter when he was hit squarely in the chest while making what appeared to be a routine tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin stood up briefly and adjusted his mask before falling back.
Hamlin was selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pitt. He spent his rookie season limited to special teams roles and took over as the starting safety in Week 3 in place of veteran Micah Hyde, who remains out with a neck injury.
Fans, team owners and players, including Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, have donated to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which as of Thursday morning had raised more than $7 million.