Bills' Dawkins says he was hospitalized for 4 days with COVID-19

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins revealed he was hospitalized during his bout with COVID-19.

Dawkins said he spent four days in the hospital and detailed the toll the experience took on him mentally.

"It was one of the lowest points I've ever been. I never even thought I could get (to that) low because I'm so animated. That hit hard," Dawkins said. "Even with the mental stuff, it hit every part of me. I was shocked that it can even hit that. Being in a hospital was probably the hardest part because I was like 'man, I'm in a hospital, my team is out there working, and I'm here.'"

Dawkins recalled moments during his hospital stay where he was unsure if he was going to pull through.

"I don't wanna scare anybody but there was moments that I was like 'I don't know if I'm going to make this.' I was down bad. I could barely move and I was just hurting."

The 27-year-old lineman listed shortness of breath, coughing, and dehydration as some of his symptoms. He tested positive for COVID-19 just after receiving his second vaccine but had not reached the two-week mark after his shot.

"I'm glad that I had the vaccine when I had COVID. I wish that I could have been fully vaccinated. I was right before the fully vaccinated point but if I was fully, I think it would have been a little bit easier on myself."

Dawkins opened training camp on the COVID-19 list but was activated off the reserve group last week and admits his conditioning took a hit. He added he lost about 16 pounds during his bout with the virus.

A second-round pick in 2017, Dawkins has started 59 games for the Bills since entering the league.