Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin Set to Make Season Debut vs. Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is expected to make his season debut on Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It would mark the first time Hamlin has played in a regular-season game since suffering cardiac arrest in the field of play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2.
Hamlin suited up for Buffalo during the preseason, but has been a healthy scratch for the team's first three games of the season. However, a knee injury is sidelining Bills veteran safety Jordan Poyer against Miami, meaning Hamlin services could now be needed in the secondary vs. a high-powered Dolphins offense.
"What a challenge, who can say they get to face their fears like this in front of the entire world," Hamlin said after the first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. "It was a good step in the right direction as far as internally for myself."
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) gestures during warm ups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
© Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY
Hamlin's return to play has remarkably taken less than a year, but he admitted that he's had his own fears throughout the process.
"I'm processing 1000 emotions," Hamlin said training camp. "I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind and being a little scared here and there."
Getting back to this moment was one that obviously took tons of thought. No one would blame Hamlin if he wanted to call it quits after nearly losing his life, but the strength of family helped push him through, regardless of fears.
"My family, my mom and my dad, they were behind me either way I wanted to go, playing or not," he said. "But if this is the decision we're gonna make, we're gonna go with it and keep going. So I made my decision. I'm living with it."
The Bills and Dolphins kickoff from Highmark Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
