Bills’ Damar Hamlin expected to be healthy inactive for ‘MNF’ game vs. Jets: Sources

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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is expected to be inactive for the team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the New York Jets, team sources said. NFL Network first reported the news. Here’s what you need to know:

Hamlin will be a healthy inactive for Monday’s game, according to sources.
The 25-year-old 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.
Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Taylor Rapp and Siran Neal, who is a key special teams contributor, are likely to be the four game-day safeties.

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Where Hamlin fits on the Bills’ depth chart

The Bills were always going to have a tricky numbers game in the secondary on game day when everyone is healthy. Hamlin performed well throughout camp and the preseason, but Rapp is ahead of him on the depth chart. Hamlin can contribute on special teams, but making him inactive would give the Bills a chance to dress three running backs (James Cook, Damien Harris and Latavius Murray) if they choose.

This is also an indication that the Bills feel comfortable with Hyde’s health. He popped up on the injury report with a back injury but was a full participant by the end of the week and didn’t have an injury designation on the final injury report. Hamlin playing in this game would have been an added emotional boost for the Bills, but the team isn’t short on motivation for a season-opening game on “Monday Night Football” against a division rival.

Hamlin’s role this season may be dependent on injuries ahead of him, but he’s still a valuable depth player for Buffalo. — Fairburn

Backstory

Hamlin was listed as the team’s backup safety with Cam Lewis throughout Bills training camp and preseason games. Hamlin made the Bills’ 53-man roster at the end of August after going through the non-padded ramp-up period to begin camp, being a full participant in padded practices and being 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.

Doctors cleared Hamlin to resume football activities in April, and Buffalo’s training staff continued to monitor him closely at training camp.

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(Photo: Gregory Fisher / USA Today)