Bills' Damar Hamlin Still in Critical Condition After Cardiac Event

CINCINNATI, OH — Buffalo Bills’ Safety Damar Hamlin, 24, is sedated and still in critical condition as of Tuesday morning, Jan. 3. Hamlin collapsed to the ground during the 1st quarter after a routine tackle on Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin initially stood up after the tackle but immediately grasped his facemask and fell back to the turf. 

The Buffalo Bills announced this morning that Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. Medical personnel had to administer CPR for several minutes before an ambulance took him to a local hospital. According to the Bills, Damar had his heartbeat restored on the field before transporting him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further treatment.

With both teams visibly emotional, Bills’ Head Coach Sean McDermott and Bengals’ Head Coach Zac Taylor took their teams back to their locker rooms. The NFL later suspended the game. NFL executive vice president of personnel Troy Vincent said there was never a conversation about a 5-minute warmup period before resuming play. ESPN broadcasters mentioned that before the teams went back to the locker rooms.

"It never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play," Vincent said. "That's ridiculous. That's insensitive."

 NFL EVP of communications, public affairs, and policy, Jeff Miller, said there are no current plans to reschedule the Week 17 matchup, and a determination will be made at an appropriate time.

Several Bills’ personnel stayed behind after most players returned to Buffalo on Monday night. Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor also visited Damar in the hospital to check his condition.

Hamlin made his first start in place of injured Safety Micah Hyde in week three this season. The 6th-round pick established himself on the field and started at Safety ever since.