WGR

‘In addition, the team says Hamlin’s neurologic function remains intact and has been able to talk to his family, care team, as well as his teammates over FaceTime. During his FaceTime with the team on Friday, he told the players and coaches on the call, “Love you boys.”‘

‘“We were able to Zoom and see Damar, he was able to gesture with more so with his hands, but we were able to hear him say ‘I love you boys’ to the team and the people in the room” McDermott also said that the call was brief but it was much needed for Damar and the team.’

‘Benford will be available to play for the Bills this week after being placed on Injured Reserve after their Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Detroit Lions due to an oblique injury.’

‘”I can’t say enough about what he did, what he said to us in the locker room,” Allen expounded. “Obviously, just a dire circumstance that nobody’s expecting, nobody’s ready for. You can never put yourself in that situation until it happens. … Coach handled it as perfect as anybody could.”‘

‘Had Monday’s game been completed, the winner would have had a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC (the Bills still do, while the Bengals do not). As a result, the league said it will play the AFC Championship Game at a neutral site if the participating teams played “an unequal amount of game and both could have been the No. 1 seed and hosted the game had all AFC clubs played a full 17-game regular season.”’

‘While speaking to reporters via Zoom, Dr. Pritts and Dr. William Knight IV said the prompt recognition of his loss of a pulse led to immediate CPR performed by Bills medical and training staff. They said it was critical to not only saving Hamlin’s life, but keeping his neurological functions intact.’

‘The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots both released their Thursday injury reports.’

‘Mayden had spent a little over three weeks on the Bills’ practice squad back in October. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Alabama, as he signed with the San Francisco 49ers.’

‘”He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”‘

‘On the same conference call, NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller said they will continue to consult with both clubs, and a decision will be made in the coming days on the future of the game.’

‘”Damar Hamlin spent last night in the intensive care unit and remains there today in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.’

‘Those are the images that will remain embedded in all of us, whether personally on the field or watching on television.’

‘As Bills fans and others around the sports world await any health update on the second-year safety, in typical Buffalo fashion, many were encouraged to support Hamlin by donating money to his charity page, “The Chasing M’s Foundations Community Toy Drive”.’

‘The play occurred with just under six minutes remaining in the opening quarter after Hamlin made an open-field tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Shortly after getting up from the tackle he just made, the 24-year-old collapsed to the ground, prompting the attention of medical personnel and professionals from the Bills and Bengals.’

‘No announcement on when the game will be continued or made up has been announced at this time.’