Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin will be starting for the team in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, marking his first start since suffering a cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023. Head coach Sean McDermott praised Hamlin for his resilience in returning to the field after such a serious incident, noting that it was more challenging than recovering from a typical sports injury. Hamlin experienced commotio cordis during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals last season, requiring his heart to be restarted on the field before being taken to the hospital.
Hamlin was cleared to play football again in April 2023 and appeared in several preseason and regular-season games last year. During a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he attempted a fake-punt run but was unsuccessful in converting for a first down. The Bills have undergone changes in their secondary this offseason, with their previous starting safety duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer no longer together on the team. Hyde is currently a free agent, while Poyer signed with the Miami Dolphins. Despite these changes, Hamlin has shown his determination and skill, earning the starting spot for the upcoming game. His return to the field is seen as a remarkable achievement given the seriousness of his cardiac arrest incident.
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