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Will Damar Hamlin make a comeback? Coach says he is scheduled to play against Indianapolis Colts

'I made the choice to play. But I’m processing a thousand emotions,' said Damar Hamlin

BUFFALO, NEW YORK: Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bill's safety, is scheduled to play in Buffalo’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 12.

This will be his first appearance in a competitive setting since he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2 when he had a collision with wide receiver Tee Higgins. 

Will Damar Hamlin make a comeback?

The coach Sean McDermott confirmed to AP that Hamlin is scheduled to play. Hamlin was fully cleared to rejoin the Bills in April and has been eased back on the field since then.

He took part in individual drills in May, followed by team drills a week later. Two weeks ago, he experienced his first thud of a hit in the Bills’ first full-padded practice of training camp.

Following the practice, Hamlin according to NFL said he is trying to take his comeback one step at a time. “I made the choice to play. But I’m processing a thousand emotions. I’m not afraid to say that it crosses my mind of being a little scared here and there,” Hamlin said at the time.

Damar Hamlin spoke about faith and fear last month

“My faith is stronger than any fear. That’s what I want to preach up here. And that’s the message I want to spread on to the world. As long as your faith is stronger than your fear, you can get through anything. That's what I'm living by right now," he added.

Following the collapse, Hamlin, 25, the Buffalo Bill's safety was resuscitated on the field by Denny Kelling, the Buffalo Bill's athletic assistant, and taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in critical condition.  

“I’m not a crier, but I’ve never cried so hard in my life. Just to know, like, my nephew basically died on the field and they brought him back to life,” Dorrian Glenn, Hamlin's uncle told CNN at the time. 

Following Cincinnati Bengal's collapse, Damar Hamlin was fully cleared in April

Bills remained in two hospitals for ten days. For the first three days, he remained on a ventilator and eventually woke up inquiring about whether the Bills had won the game. He was later taken to Buffalo to continue with his recovery as doctors ran numerous tests on him. 

In April, General Manager, Brandon Beane announced he Hanlin was fully cleared. "He's fully cleared. He's here...He's in a great headspace to come back and make his return." 

Even as the coach has reportedly confirmed he might be making a comeback, the official website of the Buffalo Bills has advised keeping watch on five players in Bills vs Colts.

These are defensive, DE Boogie Basham, linebacker LB Terrel Bernard, cornerback CB Kaiir Elam, right tackle OT Brandon Shell, and receiver WR Justin Shorter.