Damar Hamlin Has Breathing Tube Removed, Talking to Teammates per Report

The safety has taken another step towards recovery.

Damar Hamlin had his breathing tube removed, and has begun talking to people on his own, which includes talking different Bills teammates over facetime, The Athletic‘s Shams Charania reports, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirms. He is expected to address the entire team as a group this morning.

The Bills have confirmed, via physicians at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, that the breathing tube was removed, and Hamlin “continues to progress remarkably in his recovery.”

“His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team,” the team added.

That development means that he is now able to breathe on his own for the first time since Monday night.

The news is the latest encouraging sign for Hamlin, whose status has slowly improved over the last few days. Yesterday, the team said that Hamlin woke up and was “neurologically intact,” to the point where he was able to ask about the outcome of the game from Monday night.

Hamlin remains at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, while the Bills are in Buffalo preparing for Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots. Speaking to Hamlin should give the team an ease of mind when trying to get ready for a game in two days.