Damar Hamlin is not expected to play in a regular-season game for the first time since a cardiac arrest when the Buffalo Bills open the season against the New York Jets on Monday night, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
Hamlin, a safety who had to be benched on Cincinnati’s field in January, played in three exhibition games this summer. After many doubted that he would be able to take the field again, he made the Bills’ roster as a backup.
The decision not to activate him Monday night, which was first reported by ESPN and NFL Network, was confirmed to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Bills did not announce their lineup before the game.
Listed as the fourth safety on Buffalo’s depth chart, Hamlin is expected to be limited to mostly special teams roles, barring injuries to starters Jordan Poyer or Micah Hyde.
Hamlin, 25, was starting in place of the injured Hyde on Jan. 2 against the Bengals when his heart stopped as a result of commotion cordis, which occurs when a direct blow to a specific point of the heartbeat causes cardiac arrest. Is. Doctors have assured Hamlin that he can resume playing without fear of any setbacks or complications.