Damar Hamlin has shown ‘signs of improvement’ but stays in critical condition, team says

Items placed by football fans are seen during a vigil outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin lies in critical condition, after suffering a cardiac arrest through the January 2 National Football League (NFL) game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., January 3, 2023.

Megan Jelinger | Reuters

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is showing “signs of improvement” and family members are “elated” about his progress, even while he’s still hospitalized in critical condition, his team and family said Wednesday.

Hamlin collapsed on the sector Monday night in Cincinnati. First responders performed CPR and he was rushed to nearby University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

“Damar stays within the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight,” the Bills said in a press release Wednesday afternoon. “He is predicted to stay under intensive care as his health care team continues to watch and treat him.”

Family friend and spokesman Jordon Rooney said Hamlin’s health is moving in “a positive direction.”

“They’re elated immediately,” Rooney told The Associated Press. “Damar continues to be their first concern. But for them, they all the time have a look at how they’ll turn a somewhat troubling situation into one. The bounce back from this for him and his family goes to be incredible.”

President Joe Biden told reporters Wednesday that he had spoken with Hamlin’s mother and father “at length.”

Cincinnati was leading 7-3 when Hamlin tackled Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins after a 13-yard gain. Hamlin stood up from what gave the impression of a routine play before he went limp and fell backward to the bottom at Paycor Stadium.

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, and his “heartbeat was restored on the sector,” the Bills have said.

The sport was postponed, and league officials said Wednesday they’ve only just began internal talks about find out how to reschedule or scratch the competition.

Week 18 games — set to be the ultimate ones of the regular season — will go on as scheduled, the NFL said.

All scenarios are on the table, and Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice chairman of football operations, warned teams and fans that the ultimate decision may very well be unpopular with some clubs.

The 12-3 Bills are a half-game behind the 13-3 Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Bills own a tiebreaker over the Chiefs by virtue of their win at Kansas City in October.

“There could also be a scarcity of equity, where it is probably not perfect,” Vincent said. “But it surely’ll allow those which are participating who’ve earned that right to play to proceed to play.”

At a 38-minute meeting with reporters, NFL officials were asked repeatedly whether the Bills were emotionally prepared to play their next scheduled game Sunday against the Recent England Patriots.

Every time, league officials declined to ensure that the competition would go on as scheduled.

“It’s really vital that we just keep the heart beat of the coach and the players and do not get in front of that,” Vincent said.

Referring to Buffalo coach Sean McDermott, he said, “We’ll allow Sean and his team and his staff and the players, that are a very powerful thing here, to guide us.”