By JOHN WAWROW (AP Sports Writer)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills security Damar Hamlin has proven what physicians treating him are calling “remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours,” the crew introduced Thursday, three days after the participant went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the sector.
“While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact,” the Bills mentioned in a press release. “His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress.”
Hamlin’s agent, Ronald Butler, informed The Associated Press that Hamlin was awake and has been in a position to grip the fingers of members of the family at his hospital bedside.
The developments got here because the Bills had been scheduled to return to follow on Thursday for the primary time since Hamlin collapsed when his coronary heart stopped after making a deal with and was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center throughout the first quarter of Buffalo’s sport towards the Bengals on Monday night time.
The second-year participant spent the previous two days sedated and listed in important situation.
Bills rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam posted a message Thursday on Twitter that mentioned Hamlin “is doing better, awake and showing signs of improvement.”
The Bills’ announcement comes as they put together to play a house sport towards the New England Patriots, and with the crew nonetheless coping with the shock of seeing their teammate collapse on the sector, his coronary heart not beating.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick referred to as the replace on Hamlin’s well being encouraging.
“Life is bigger than this game. And I think this is one of those humbling moments for all of us,” Belichick mentioned.
As to how his gamers had been coping with preparations for the sport scheduled for Sunday, he mentioned they’re navigating it by the second.
“I think we’re all doing the best that we can,” Belichick mentioned. “All of those questions are out of our control. I’m not going to worry about any of those. We’re trying to control what we can control. That’s what we’re doing here and how we’re doing it. And we’re doing the best we can.”
After returning residence early Tuesday as soon as the sport was suspended, the Bills held conferences and a walkthrough follow with none media availability on Wednesday. On Thursday, gamers had been noticed arriving on the facility, although the crew has not but launched a follow schedule.
Numerous gamers throughout the league — former teammates and people who didn’t know Hamlin till Monday — voiced their help, whereas saying they had been shaken by what unfolded in entrance of a North American TV viewers.
Colts security Rodney Thomas made the two-hour drive from Indianapolis to Cincinnati on Tuesday simply to be by the aspect of his former highschool teammate.
“He’s a fighter. I know he’s a fighter and there’s no other thought in my mind other than him walking out under his own power,” Thomas mentioned Wednesday.
Minnesota Vikings defensive deal with Harrison Phillips, who spent the earlier 4 seasons enjoying for Buffalo, had dinner delivered to the hospital for Hamlin’s household and medical employees.
Hamlin’s advertising and marketing consultant, Jordon Rooney, mentioned Wednesday that the participant’s household was buoyed by the phrases and acts of kindness.
“They are elated right now,” Rooney mentioned. “Damar is still their first concern. But for them, they always look at how they can turn a somewhat troubling situation into a good one. The bounce back from this, for him and his family is going to be incredible.”
What stays unclear is whether or not the NFL will reschedule the Bills’ sport towards the Bengals, which has main implications in figuring out the highest spot within the AFC. The playoffs are set to open on Jan. 14.
The Chiefs (13-3) have a half-game lead over Buffalo (12-3), with the Bills proudly owning the tiebreaker after beating Kansas City this season. The Bengals (11-4) are presently the third seed and have additionally defeated the Chiefs.
Hamlin was damage within the first quarter when he was struck squarely within the chest whereas making what gave the impression to be a routine deal with of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin briefly obtained up and adjusted his facemask earlier than collapsing backward.
Hamlin was chosen by Buffalo within the sixth spherical of the 2021 draft out of Pitt. He spent his rookie season restricted to particular groups roles, and took over the beginning security job in Week 3 rather than veteran Micah Hyde, who stays sidelined by a neck damage.
Fans, crew house owners and gamers — together with Tom Brady and Russell Wilson — have made donations to Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation, which had raised greater than $7 million by Thursday morning.
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AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower in Foxborough, Massachusetts, contributed to this report.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com”