Damar Hamlin makes Bills’ 53-man roster: Why it was a foregone conclusion

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made the team’s 53-man roster on Tuesday as the team released 27 players on cutdown day. Here’s what you need to know:

The 25-year-old Hamlin was listed as the team’s backup safety with Cam Lewis throughout Bills training camp and preseason games. Micah Hyde was listed as the starter on the team’s unofficial depth chart.
Hamlin, Buffalo’s 2021 sixth-round pick, has practiced throughout training camp and played in preseason games after collapsing and going into cardiac arrest during the Jan. 2 “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals last season.
Doctors cleared Hamlin to resume football activities in April.

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Bills' Damar Hamlin practices in full pads at camp

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Hamlin checked every health box

Heading into training camp, the Bills were committed to listening to Hamlin and going at the player’s pace both physically and mentally, knowing that his progress could veer from linear expectations. But along the way, Hamlin checked every box. He went through the non-padded ramp-up period to begin camp, was a full participant in padded practices immediately and was a willing tackler and special teams player in full-contact preseason games.

All summer long, Hamlin didn’t miss a single practice. Knowing he couldn’t hesitate on the field, he never shied away from contact. As soon as the Bills saw Hamlin successfully go through full-contact preseason games, the safety making the roster was a foregone conclusion. It would have been an outright shock had he not made the team, which is a testament to Hamlin’s recovery and comeback attempt from a night no one will forget. — Buscaglia

Full-go for Hamlin

Hamlin made the Bills’ 53-man roster about three weeks ago, when he flew around Highmark Stadium field, seemingly without a medical care in the world, in the preseason opener.

Hamlin flung himself at the Colts. There was no doubt he had overcome whatever mental and emotional issues might’ve lingered from his cardiac arrest. The Bills could monitor Hamlin’s physical recovery through those seven months, but coach Sean McDermott admitted anxiety entering that first preseason game. He double-checked with Hamlin the night before and with doctors before observing Hamlin’s first attempt against a live opponent.

But within a few full-go plays it was evident Hamlin had cleared the hurdles. McDermott even had Hamlin blitz on the safety’s third and fourth snaps, the latter a fourth-down tackle for no gain. He was back pretty much right there and then.

Over three exhibitions, he made 10 tackles in 80 defensive snaps. Just as crucial, he lined up on most of the special teams units for another 19 snaps. As the fourth safety on a team that usually keeps only four, Hamlin must contribute in that high-collision, no-time-to-think world of kicks and coverages. — Graham

Backstory

Bills medical personnel rushed to Hamlin’s aid and resuscitated him on the field in January. Hamlin initially spent a week at a Cincinnati hospital before being transferred to Buffalo to continue his recovery. Buffalo’s training staff continues to monitor him closely at training camp.

Asked at the start of Bills training camp in late July if he’s hesitant to resume playing football, Hamlin admitted that returning to the game is emotional but he won’t let that stop him.

“You can’t hit that field with no hesitation. You put yourself in more danger by doing that,” Hamlin said. “I made the choice to play. I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind being a little scary here and there. My strength is rooted in my faith and my faith is stronger than any fear. … As long as your faith is stronger than your fear, you can get through anything. That’s what I’m living by right now.”

Required reading

(Photo: Joe Sargent / Getty Images)