Damar Hamlin Sits Out First Day of Bills OTAs

The former Pitt Panthers safety has been cleared to play, but is taking things slow.

PITTSBURGH -- Earlier this year, former Pitt Panthers safety was cleared to return to football, concluding a remarkable recovery after he went into cardiac arrest during the Bills-Bengals Monday Night Football game played at the beginning of Janaury. 

But there are still hills to climb for the former Panther if he wants to get back to playing football full-time at its highest level. He and the Bills are attacking those hills slowly and holding Hamlin out of the first round of voluntary practices this week. 

“We’re taking it one day at a time,” head coach Doug McDermott said.

McDermott added that Hamlin is at the facility and had been at practice but was watching in shorts and a hat while his teammates donned helmets for the first time. 

There is no timetable for Hamlin's return to action, McDermott said. 

As far as football goes, Hamlin is a valuable part of Buffalo's secondary. With the back end ravaged by injuries, he stepped up to take a starting job last season and played well. The Bills are hoping he's ready sooner rather than late. 

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