Damar Hamlin shows improvement, “neurologically intact,” Buffalo Bills say

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is awake and making “substantial progress” after suffering a cardiac arrest during an NFL game earlier this week, his doctors said Thursday.

Driving the news: The Buffalo Bills safety is still “critically ill” but appears to be neurologically intact, his team said earlier in the day. Though he is unable to speak since he remains on a breathing tube, he has been communicating through writing and can move his hands, feet and head, according to physicians at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC).

• The progress marked a “good turning point” in Hamlin’s ongoing care, UCMC physician Timothy Pritts said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. Hamlin will continue to receive treatment in the intensive care unit before returning to his family.
• “He expressed surprise that he had been not with the world for two days, and we talked about the support that’s been given from Cincinnati and Buffalo and really across the country for him and his family here at the time,” Pritts added.

What they’re saying: “His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress,” the Bills had said in an update Thursday morning.

• Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam also tweeted Thursday that Hamlin “is doing better, awake and showing more signs of improvement.”
• Hamlin’s agent, Ron Butler, told CNN that the Bills safety is holding hands with his family.
• “Great news,” President Biden said in response to the Bills’ update Thursday. “Damar, like I told your mom and dad yesterday, Jill and I — along with all of America — are praying for you and your family.”

Catch up quick: Hamlin collapsed on the field Monday night in Cincinnati after taking a hit to the chest from a routine tackle.

• Medical professionals gave him oxygen and administered CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) to bring back his heartbeat, Axios’ Kendall Baker reports.

• Hamlin’s uncle Dorrian Glenn said Tuesday that his nephew was still on a ventilator, but he was improving.
• On Wednesday, Hamlin was “in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement,” according to the Bills.

Experts say Hamlin likely experienced commotio cordis, a rare event that happens due to a blow to the chest wall, Baker writes. Fewer than 30 cases are reported annually according to the National Library of Medicine.

The big picture: Thousands of people have shared their support and prayers for Hamlin in the days following the tragic incident.

• More than 221,000 people have donated to Hamlin’s fundraiser for a Pittsburgh-area toy drive.
• “On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” Hamlin’s family said in a statement. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans across the country.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional details and developments.