ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP - MODIFIED) — With a helmet on, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin took part in team drills on Tuesday for the first time this spring and some six months since having a near-death experience during a game.
Damar Hamlin wearing his helmet as a full participant for the first time since his return. Full of energy at OTA’s. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/q7OrSBDiDG
— Briana Aldridge (@BreeAldridge) June 6, 2023
Hamlin appeared upbeat by happily waving to the cameras pointed at him during pre-practice stretching drills. Soon after, he served as a punt protector in several special team periods.
Hamlin had previously been limited to taking part in individual drills and the stretching portions of practice over the previous two weeks of the team’s voluntary sessions. The 25-year-old has made it his objective to resume his football career after going into cardiac arrest and needing to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.
The frightening collapse led to the game being eventually canceled by the NFL, and had Hamlin spending 10 days recovering and being monitored in hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo. The third-year player was fully cleared to resume playing in April, and has spent much of the past two months working out at the team’s facility.
Brandon Beane says January they were just hoping Damar Hamlin would live fast forward to June he’s back to his normal life working his way to play in the NFL again. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/7phg0JYKs4
— Briana Aldridge (@BreeAldridge) June 6, 2023
The Bills had no immediate update on Hamlin’s practice status.
