Bills head coach Sean McDermott said safety Damar Hamlin remains as the team’s “No. 1 concern” on Thursday.
It was the first time McDermott spoke to reporters since Hamlin collapsed in the first quarter of the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Throughout the week, McDermott stressed that players take care of themselves as the team has provided additional counselors and extra resources following the traumatic event on the field.
“Mental health is real,” McDermott said. “The job description of a coach is not just coaching Xs and Os. It’s much more than that.”
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, one of the many Buffalo players in shock following Hamlin’s scary injury, said the scene on the field Monday is something he and his teammates will never forget.
But, the two-time Pro Bowler could not have been more thrilled to know that Hamlin has shown significant improvements.
“We heard the news today, and there’s nothing that could be told to us that could bring our day down,” Allen said. “We just want to love up on him.”
Regarding what will surely be an emotional scene at the Bills’ regular-season finale—against the Patriots (8–8) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium—McDermott told reporters that playing on Sunday is the right decision. He also expects the atmosphere to be “unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
“I feel strongly, as Damar’s dad told us, that this is what Damar wants,” McDermott said.
Prior to Thursday’s update, McDermott canceled his usual Wednesday morning press conference. The Bills, who had not practiced this week prior to Thursday, held a team meeting on Wednesday and a brief on-field walkthrough.
Orr: As Damar Hamlin Recovers, Buffalo Waits—and Wonders What to Do
While Buffalo is scheduled to face New England, the NFL reportedly decided to not resume Monday’s postponed game, according to the Associated Press.
Per the AP, the league still is seeking to determine playoff seedings and scheduling. After the league makes its decision, the NFL players association must approve the changes.
Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after making what appeared to be a routine tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin received on-field medical care, including being resuscitated, and was then transported to a Cincinnati hospital.
Earlier Thursday, the Bills released a statement that said Hamlin showed “remarkable improvement” in the past 24 hours and that he appeared to be “neurologically intact” and is making “steady progress.”
