When Will Damar Hamlin Play? Bills Plan to Make Hamlin Inactive Against Jets

After collapsing and going into cardiac arrest on the field last season in front of a national audience, fans all over the world have been waiting to see Bills safety Damar Hamlin make his highly-anticipated return to action this season. With the Bills making Hamlin inactive against the New York Jets tonight, the fairy-tale story is put on ice.

The Bills and Bengals faced off on Monday Night Football last season when Hamlin took a blow to the chest that forced him into cardiac arrest on the field. Many wondered if Hamlin would ever be able to return to the NFL in the aftermath of the traumatizing event that took place on national television.

Since then, Hamlin has defied all odds, making a full recovery and even being cleared to play. He participated in Bills training camp this offseason as well as played in the preseason, but a return to regular season action will have to wait a little longer.

Hamlin was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He started 13 games for the Bills in 2022, producing 91 total tackles in addition to deflecting two passes, forcing a fumble, and recording 1.5 sacks.

Despite the impressive run as a starter last season, Hamlin is a backup player in the Bills secondary. He stepped up when called upon to fill in for injured safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, who are currently slated to enter 2023 with a clean bill of health.

With Hamlin being ruled inactive for the Bills 2023 regular season opener against the Jets, Week 2 will be his next opportunity to complete his miraculous comeback, when the Bills host the Las Vegas Raiders.