Inside The Panthers

Damar Hamlin Practices Fully for First Time Since Injury

Former Pitt Panthers safety Damar Hamlin was on the field as a full participant.

Stephen Thompson

Damar Hamlin Practices Fully for First Time Since Injury
Damar Hamlin Practices Fully for First Time Since Injury /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panther Damar Hamlin continues to make steady progress back in his remarkable recovery from cardiac arrest. After spending the first two weeks of OTAs with the Buffalo Bills on the sidelines, Hamlin made his first return to the field this week. 

According to a report from Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, Hamlin was a full participant in practice this week for the first time since going into cardiac arrest on the field of Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, when the Bills and Bengals met on Monday Night Football in January. His injury stopped the game and the whole football world for at least one night but he is now returning to business as usual. 

In previous weeks, Hamlin had been present at practice but was not wearing a helmet and had just assisted with drills the defensive backs were running. Now he's a participant in those drills. 

Hamlin is in line to take on an increasingly large role with the Bills with each passing year. Last season, injuries forced Hamlin into a starting role and he thrived there, sticking in the rotation even as Buffalo got healthier. 

It will be an uphill battle to earn playing time this year, with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer back in the fold full-time, but Hamlin's prior experience should give him a chance to play. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Three-Star WR Cameron Monteiro Sets Official Visit to Pitt

Justin Champagnie Returns for Workouts at Pitt

Pitt Commit Francis Brewu Returning for Official Visit

Pitt G Jamarius Burton Will Workout for Milwaukee Bucks

Three-Star OL Target Sets Commitment Date

Former Pitt Assistant Takes New Job with ACC Foe

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Home/Football