Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made his return to the football field on Saturday, seven months after suffering a cardiac arrest during a January game.
Hamlin made his debut in the Bills’ preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, making a fourth-down tackle in the first quarter.
The 25-year-old Hamlin suffered a cardiac after in a January game against the Cincinnati Bengals and had to be resuscitated on the field. He was diagnosed with Commotio cordis, which occurs when there is blunt trauma to the heart, usually caused by a blow.
He was cleared by doctors to continue his football career in April and started his comeback by participating in drills the next month, and joining his team in training camp as Hamlin prepares for his third NFL season.
Hamlin’s return was briefly placed on hold because of a thunderstorm rolling through the region about 75 minutes before kickoff. Players returned to the field to conduct their pregame warmup after about a half-hour delay.
After two more preseason games, Hamlin’s next hurdle will come on Aug. 29, when the Bills make their final cuts to establish their regular-season roster.
Contributing: Associated Press