Damar Hamlin moving in positive direction despite concerns after cardiac arrest

04 January 2023 , 18:03

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Damar Hamlin is recovering in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest (Image: Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Damar Hamlin remains in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday night's game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, but family members are said to be cautiously optimistic that he is "trending in the right direction".

Hamlin collapsed during the first quarter of Monday Night Football after making a tackle on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. His heart went into cardiac arrest and ambulance crews performed CPR and used a defibrillator to restart his heart before taking him to the hospital.

Since then, updates have been scarce, though on Wednesday it emerged that the 24-year-old had improved slightly overnight, with doctors lowering the level of oxygen he needed from 100% to 50%.

And on Wednesday, it was claimed by his family friend and marketing representative Jordan Rooney that Hamlin was "moving in a positive direction."

ESPN's senior NFL insider Adam Schefter then reported that while Hamlin's situation was slowly improving, there were still concerns over his overall condition.

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He explained: "He remains in hospital, he was there overnight, he continues to go through tests. He remains in critical condition. His uncle said there are concerns about damage to his lungs, that's what they're doing tests for now.

Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals (Kamil Krzaczynski/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

"They're in a critical period now, hoping and praying for signs. Everyone across the NFL is hoping, praying and pulling for Damar Hamlin right now."

The Buffalo Bills have cancelled their media availability this week as they prepare - as best they can - for their final scheduled regular season game against the New England Patriots on Sunday night.

Their postponed game against the Bengals will not be played this week, the NFL confirmed, and there will be no changes to this weekend's schedule as a result of the medical incident.

Daniel Blackham