The present gained’t go on this week. It can’t. And nobody is aware of but when, or if, it’ll.
The NFL decided Tuesday that it’s going to not resume Monday evening’s recreation between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals anytime this week within the wake of the Damar Hamlin on-field well being emergency.
The league has not made any modifications to its Week 18 common season schedule. So right now, the plan is to kick off Saturday’s and Sunday’s video games as slated.
But there isn’t any certainty about how or when to renew the Bills-Bengals recreation, if in any respect, with Hamlin’s life and well being as everybody’s primary precedence.
“The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the game at a later date,” the league stated in an announcement. “We will continue to provide additional information as it becomes available.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell, in a memo despatched to all 32 groups, couldn’t slam the door on the potential for extra schedule modifications whereas navigating this unprecedented scenario.
“We have not announced any changes to this weekend’s schedule,” Goodell wrote to the groups. “We will promptly advise all clubs of any decisions that are made regarding these matters.”
Goodell knowledgeable the Bills and Bengals immediately of the choice to additional delay the sport after conferring with each groups and the NFL Players’ Association.
“I decided to postpone last night’s game and have our focus remain on Damar and his family,” Goodell wrote within the memo. “We are in regular contact with both clubs and with the medical team caring for Damar and will share additional information as we receive it.”
Teams adjusted schedules Tuesday out of sensitivity for Hamlin’s grave situation.
The Kansas City Chiefs postponed their scheduled media availability of coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes from Tuesday to Wednesday.
“Out of respect for Damar Hamlin and the Buffalo Bills organization we are canceling today’s media availability,” the Chiefs stated in an announcement, based on Arrowhead Pride.
The New England Patriots canceled Tuesday’s availability for assistant coaches Cam Achord, Ross Douglas and Jerod Mayo, per ESPN.
Teams nonetheless have to arrange for this weekend’s video games as of this second. So the Chiefs practiced.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated he has recognized the Pittsburgh-area native Hamlin, 24, “since he was about 12,” spoke publicly in regards to the “honor” of figuring out a younger man he admires, then tried to show the main focus to soccer.
“Anybody got any questions regarding this week’s matchup?” the Pittsburgh coach stated.
The Giants are planning to follow Wednesday as they all the time do, after Tuesday’s off day, in preparation for a Sunday recreation. They are scheduled to go to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
But nothing felt regular Tuesday.
The Bills introduced at 12:23 p.m. that Hamlin remained within the intensive care unit in important situation on the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
All NFL groups modified their Twitter avatars quickly after to a blue icon with Hamlin’s No. 3 jersey quantity and the textual content “Pray for Damar.”
Goodell reiterated in his memo to groups that “the NFL continues to be in regular contact with the medical team caring for Damar Hamlin, and also the Bills and Bengals organizations and the NFL Players’ Association.”
The commissioner stated each workforce has acquired data on psychological well being and help sources obtainable to gamers and workers from Dr. Nyaka NiiLampti, the NFL’s VP of wellness and scientific companies. Additional sources, together with on-site companies, will likely be made obtainable for any membership that seeks further help.
But nothing feels sure about how the schedule will proceed till Hamlin’s situation is thought.
The NFL is in unprecedented territory right here.
The most up-to-date main schedule shakeup occurred through the 2020 pandemic-impacted season, when a COVID-19 outbreak induced the Baltimore Ravens to play the Steelers on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, Dec. 8, earlier than taking over the Browns on Monday, Dec. 14.
But there may be nothing analogous between that awkward maneuvering to accommodate an unfamiliar scenario and Hamlin’s life doubtlessly being in danger this week, to not point out the doable emotional fallout for gamers and workers of the Bills and Bengals and all through the league.
The backside line is that Hamlin’s life and well being are all that issues proper now. That’s why Goodell and the NFL aren’t enjoying the Bills-Bengals recreation this week and why there isn’t any make-up date deliberate at this level in any respect.
It’s all about No. 3.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com