Anyone following the NFL knows what happened to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in 2022. Hamlin had an on-field episode of commotion carditis after taking a hit from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins in Week 17. Thankfully, the Bills’ medical staff performed life-saving measures on Hamlin, who is now fully healthy.
Still, Hamlin hasn’t played in a regular-season game since that frightening January night. As Buffalo deals with defensive back injuries, could he be active for the club’s Week 4 game against the Miami Dolphins?
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Will Damar Hamlin Play in Week 4?
After spending time in Cincinnati and Buffalo hospitals following his collapse, Hamlin announced in February that he intended to return to the football field after gaining medical clearance.
He received that full clearance in April, then fully participated in the Bills’ offseason workout program and training camp. Hamlin returned to live action during the preseason, playing 80 snaps across three exhibition games.
However, Hamlin has been a healthy scratch in Buffalo’s first three regular-season games. Could that change on Sunday?
It’s likely. The Bills ruled out starting safety Jordan Poyer on Friday, creating an opening in Buffalo’s lineup and leaving them one defensive back short for their matchup with the Dolphins, who have the NFL’s best aerial attack through three games.
The “expectation” is that Hamlin will make his season debut on Sunday, as NFL Network reported Friday.
With the #Bills ruling out S Jordan Poyer, the expectation is that Damar Hamlin makes his season debut vs the #Dolphins, sources say.
This spring, Hamlin told reporters, “My heart is still in the game. I love the game.”On Sunday, he’s set to be back doing it. pic.twitter.com/5LzNm5EeXz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 29, 2023
Hamlin is unlikely to go from the bench to the starting lineup. Instead, Taylor Rapp — who signed a one-year deal with the Bills this offseason after beginning his career with the Los Angeles Rams — is in line to replace Poyer alongside fellow starter Micah Hyde.
But Hamlin should be active as the club’s third or fourth safety. Cam Lewis will be active behind Poyer and Hyde thanks to his CB/S versatility and his special teams contributions. Hamlin also has special team experience, having played at least 75 ST snaps in each of his two NFL seasons.
MORE: Buffalo Bills Depth Chart
Hamlin stepped in for Buffalo when Hyde suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 of the 2022 campaign. From Weeks 3-17, Hamlin played at least 90% of the Bills’ defensive snaps in 12 of 13 games. He finished the year with 91 combined tackles (six for loss), two pass deflections, and one forced fumble.