Bills: Hamlin has shown 'remarkable improvement' in past 24 hours
Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin "has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours" but remains in critical condition, the Bills said in a statement Thursday.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 5, 2023
In a press conference later Thursday, doctors from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center gave a detailed update on Hamlin's condition.
Dr. Timothy Pritts said Hamlin began to regain consciousness Thursday morning, marking "a significant turning point" in his recovery, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic.
Doctors also said Hamlin has been able to move his hands and feet and is communicating in writing.
Doctors said after Damar Hamlin awakened last night, he asked in writing who won the game. Doctors told him: “Yes, you won. You’ve won the game of life.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2023
"It's not just that the lights are on. He's home," doctors said, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550. "It appears all the cylinders are firing in his brain."
Doctors said they "do not have immediate answers" for what caused Hamlin's cardiac arrest and it's "entirely too early" to discuss whether the defensive back will play football again, according to Buscaglia.
They commended the Bills' medical staff for their swift on-field actions following Hamlin's collapse in the first quarter of Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which forced the contest to be suspended.
"The Bills' training staff who was with him immediately recognized this was not a run-of-the-mill injury and that they had a significant event on their hands," doctors said. "This went as well as something like this could go under those circumstances."
Hamlin suffered the injury while trying to tackle Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. His heartbeat was restored on the field before he was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
The defensive back joined the Bills as a sixth-round draft pick in 2021 after a five-year college career at Pittsburgh.