The Buffalo Bills have seen their defense hit hard by injuries this year, but one critical reserve could be on his way back to help for the final stretch of the season.
The Bills placed safety Damar Hamlin on injured reserve in October after he suffered a pectoral injury. Though Hamlin lost his starting spot to second-year safety Cole Bishop this year and has since been replaced by a longtime Bills safety, he still played an important depth role and was a regular on special teams.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott said this week there is a chance Hamlin could return for the conclusion of the season, giving the Bills more depth for a critical stretch that will determine whether they can win a sixth straight AFC East title or likely start the playoffs on the road.
Sean McDermott Says Damar Hamlin’s Return is ‘Possible’
McDermott was asked for an update on Hamlin this week, telling reporters that he could return sometime in the final stretch of the season or playoffs.
“Possibly, from what I understand,” McDermott said, via SI.com. “I’ve not gotten a recent update from our training staff as far as that goes.”
The Bills have not yet opened the 21-day practice window on Hamlin, so any return does not appear to be on the immediate horizon.
Though Hamlin was a 14-game starter in 2024, he moved into a lighter role this year as Bishop was promoted to the starting job. Hamlin made just one total tackle, spending more time on special teams than on defense.
The Bills have signed longtime safety Jordan Poyer to fill the void this year. The 34-year-old has stepped up in a big way, starting eight games and making 59 total tackles with two passes defensed.
Hamlin is still a trusted player and special teams regular, so his return could help the Bills in a final stretch where they could steal the AFC East back from the New England Patriots. After last week’s come-from-behind win over the Patriots, the Bills can win the division if they win one more game than the Patriots over the final three weeks and if one of New England’s losses comes against either the New York Jets or Miami Dolphins.
The Bills have a chance to clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win over the Cleveland Browns and a loss or tie from either the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans.
More Defensive Players Could Return
The Bills could get some other good injury returns later this year. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been out since suffering a pectoral injury and undergoing surgery, but McDermott said he could potentially return for the playoffs.
“There’s a chance. It would be more after the regular season, if we can get that far,” McDermott told reporters earlier this month, via CBS Sports. “So that’s kind of where his window would open up.”
The Bills also opened up the practice window for veteran receiver Mecole Hardman, who suffered an injury in his first game since signing with the team in November.
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