Bills: Safety Hamlin showing ‘remarkable improvement’

ORCHARD PARK, New York (AP):

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has shown what physicians treating him are calling “remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours”, the team announced Thursday, three days after the player went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.

“While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact,” the Bills said in a statement, “His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress.”

Hamlin’s agent, Ronald Butler, told The Associated Press that Hamlin was awake and has been able to grip the hands of family members at his hospital bedside.

The developments came as the Bills were scheduled to return to practice on Thursday for the first time since Hamlin collapsed when his heart stopped after making a tackle and was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center during the first quarter of Buffalo’s game against the Bengals on Monday night. The second-year player spent the past two days sedated and listed in critical condition.

Dr. Timothy Pritts said in a conference call that neurological signs of improvement began Wednesday night as Hamlin gradually woke up, with the rest of his body healing. Hamlin was able to communicate by writing; he cannot speak because of a breathing tube in his throat.

“Last night he was able to emerge and follow commands and even asked who had won the game,” Pritts said.

The game was suspended after Hamlin collapsed and it hasn’t been determined if or when it will resume.

“The answer is yes, Damar, you won the game of life,” Pritts said.

Dr. William Knight credited the quick medical response with saving Hamlin’s life.

He said a physician was within Hamlin’s side within a minute of his collapsing and recognised that the defensive back did not have a pulse. Knight said Hamlin required CPR and resuscitation on the field.

“It’s been a long and difficult road for the last three days ... he has made a pretty remarkable improvement,” Knight said.

The good news came as the Bills prepare to play a home game against the New England Patriots, and with the team still dealing with the shock of seeing their teammate collapse on the field.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick called the update on Hamlin’s health encouraging.

“Life is bigger than this game. And I think this is one of those humbling moments for all of us,” Belichick said.

After returning home early Tuesday once the game was suspended, the Bills held meetings and a walkthrough practice without any media availability on Wednesday. On Thursday, players were spotted arriving at the facility, though the team has not yet released a practice schedule.

What remains unclear is whether the NFL will reschedule the Bills game against the Bengals, which has major implications in determining the top spot in the AFC. The play-offs are set to open on January 14.