Bills’ Damar Hamlin takes next step in recovery by training for 6 months since cardiac arrest

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — What was once routine for Damar Hamlin, like putting on a helmet and heading to practice, became something the Buffalo Bills safety celebrated with a phone call to his parents.

That was the case last week, general manager Brandon Beane said Tuesday, after Hamlin participated fully in practice for the first time in six months since having a near-death experience during a game in Cincinnati.

“I’m so proud of him and excited to know where he is in his journey,” Beane said.

“He still has steps to take. But looking back, it’s just the beginning of June, and it was the beginning of January, and we were just hoping he would survive,” he added. “Now, not only has he a normal life, but we’re talking about playing not just any football, but NFL football.”

Tuesday’s Bills practice was the first in which reporters were allowed to see Hamlin don his helmet and participate in various team drills. Beane said: Hamlin enjoyed his first full session on May 31, during a practice closed to reporters, after which the player called his parents in Pittsburgh.

Hamlin had previously been limited to participating in individual drills and stretching sessions since the Bills’ voluntary spring workout series opened on May 22. The 25-year-old has set his sights on resuming his football career after going into cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the pitch after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during a match against the Bengals on January 2.

The frightening collapse led to the NFL’s cancellation of the game and allowed Hamlin to spend 10 days recovering and being monitored in hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo. The third-year player was cleared to return to play in April and has spent most of the past two months training at the team’s facilities.

On Tuesday, Hamlin appeared upbeat as he happily waved to the cameras pointed at him during pre-practice stretching exercises.

Shortly after, he served as a punt protector in several special teams periods and then took the field with the defense, during which he made a touch tackle during non-contact sessions.

At one point, Hamlin fell to the field while attempting to make a play with the ball and remained on the ground for a while while trainers tended to his right shoulder. Hamlin eventually returned to practice.

“I’m fine,” Hamlin told The Associated Press as he left the field.

“It’s an incredible story,” Beane said.

As Buffalo wraps up spring practice with a mandatory three-day minicamp next week, the next step in Hamlin’s return won’t come until the Bills begin practicing on pads during full-contact sessions at training camp, which is expected to open at the end of July. .

“He worked very hard mentally. Physically, he is innocent. But it’s a real deal from a mental standpoint after being where he was,” Beane said. “We’re going to continue to reinforce him with helmets, but that will probably be the next big hurdle for him, tackling.”

He added that Hamlin works in consultation with the team’s coaches to determine when to intensify his training routine.

“It’s two-way communication. It’s not us saying, ‘You have to do this,’” Beane said.

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