Damar Hamlin in critical condition; Bills-Bengals game officially suspended

Buffalo Bills safety Dumar Hamlin is in critical condition after collapsing during Monday night’s game between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL said in a statement. The league officially suspended the game after a one-hour suspension of play.

ESPN reported that Hamlin was surrounded by teammates and some in tears after receiving CPR on the field and sustaining an injury during a tackle with Bengals receiver Tea Higgins.

Higgins led the tackle with his right shoulder, which hit Hamlin in the chest. Hamlin wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet and dragged him down. Hamlin stood up and appeared to be adjusting the facemask with his right hand, but after about three seconds he fell back and lay motionless.

Hamlin was treated on the field by team and independent medical personnel and local paramedics, according to the NFL.

The NFL has announced that games will not resume more than an hour after the injury.

“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” the league said in a statement. We are in constant contact with the Players Association.”

An ambulance arrived on the field four minutes after Hamlin collapsed, leaving many in tears. The quarterbacks — Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow — accepted.

Hamlin collapsed at 8:55 p.m., and the Bills gathered in prayer when he was taken off the field 16 minutes later.

Five minutes after the ambulance left, the game was interrupted and the players slowly left the field and entered the locker room.

The Bengals were leading 7-3 with 5:58 left in the first quarter of the game between the teams competing for the top AFC playoff seed.

in the meantime media conference call Late Monday night, the NFL did not provide Hamlin’s medical update or answer questions about whether the game will make up. However, some members of the organization have remained in Cincinnati due to their proximity to Hamlin.

The 24-year-old Safety spent five years in college in his hometown of Pittsburgh, appearing in 48 games for the Panthers. He was a second-team All-ACC performer as a senior, was named team captain, and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl.

He was selected by the Bills in the sixth round in 2021 and appeared in 14 games as a rookie.

Coming into the game, the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin made 91 tackles, including 63 solo tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.

This story will be updated with more information.