NFL’s Damar Hamlin has ‘signs of improvement’ but still critical

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a heart attack during an NFL game, was improving Wednesday but remains in critical condition as other players begin preparing for the weekend contest.

The 24-year-old defensive end collapsed Friday night after receiving a hard hit in the chest while tackling Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins during the first quarter.

Medical workers restored Hamlin’s pulse on the field and he was taken from the stadium to the hospital by ambulance, when the game was stopped with the host Bengals leading 7-3.

“Damar remains in the ICU (intensive care unit) in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight,” the Bills said Wednesday in a statement.

“He is expected to remain in intensive care as the health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”

Fans gathered outside the Bills’ home stadium to hold a prayer for Hamlin.

“Right now everything is moving forward in a positive way,” said Jordon Rooney, Hamlin’s friend and marketing representative.

US President Joe Biden spoke at length with Hamlin’s parents and told reporters when asked about the NFL that “… it’s dangerous. We just have to admit it.”

NFL players return to practice on Monday ahead of the final weekend of regular-season games, with the New England Patriots set to visit the Bills on Saturday.

“We all handle it in different ways,” Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins said.

The Bills held a team meeting and walkthrough practice session Wednesday but the media session was canceled.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said NFL officials have not spoken about canceling the Bills-Patriots game, but said Bills coach Sean McDermott and Buffalo players will guide the matter.

“We haven’t had a discussion yet,” Vincent said. “We will let Sean, the team, the staff and the players – the most important thing here – guide us if we have to make that decision.”

The NFL says the Bills-Bengals game, a key game for playoff seeding, won’t end this week and may never end.

“Everything was thought of,” Vincent said.

An NFL spokesman said a decision would be made “in the coming days” in consultation with the Bills and Bengals.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow said the team will support what the Bills want.

“Whatever Buffalo wants is what it’s going to be,” he said. “We’re behind it 100% on whatever we’re going to do.”

In the meantime, NFL players still dealing with the shock of Hamlin’s injury are preparing to return to the gridiron. That includes the Bengals, who entertain Baltimore on Sunday.

“It feels weird to be back to business as usual,” Burrow said. “It’s unfortunate, we have a game to play on Sunday. I don’t know what to say. It’s a scary and emotional time.

Burrow said he wanted to play to try to get back to normal as soon as possible, but admitted he had mixed feelings going into Sunday’s game.

“We haven’t had that discussion as a team yet,” Burrow said. “There will definitely be some side discussions about this.

“I’m sure if you poll the locker room there will be a mixed vote … I think it’s going to be tough to play.”

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said it’s important to move forward, but offered support for those struggling.

“We can still provide support to players who need it more,” Taylor said. “You can have the space to do that and at the same time move forward as a team to focus on Baltimore on Sunday.”

‘nothing good’

It’s a difficult balance that they try in the league.

“Nothing good,” Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “It must have been a heavy and sensitive day.

“We clearly know what is in front of us professionally. Our spirituality guidebook is open today and we are working on it.

A GoFundMe page for Hamlin’s youth charity foundation, which the family said will also be used to support “Damar’s current fight” has raised more than $6.8 million.

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