Physically, Damar Hamlin has already been given the green light. He now participated completely in the Buffalo Bills’ training for the first time – also for the psyche

Damar Hamlin has taken the next important comeback step. The safety participated in the Buffalo Bills’ full practice session on Tuesday as part of Organized Team Activities (OTA).

Full participant at practice today. GoBills BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/S0qhsl45V1

– Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 6, 2023

For Hamlin, that was “very important,” general manager Brandon Beane stressed. Because he has already received the green light from the doctors, but for the 25-year-old it’s all about the head, the psyche in a return to the football field.

Damar Hamlin: No drills with the team before

He had already returned to the team in May, but mainly did individual training and no drills with his colleagues. Last week he wore a helmet again for the first time during practice, as he did on Tuesday.

According to ESPN, there was also a moment when Hamlin was shaken on the field and apparently injured his arm or shoulder. He was able to continue practice, however.

Hamlin was slow to get up from a contested ball in a team drill and spent brief time with athletic trainers looking at his right arm/shoulder. He threw his helmet in frustration, but returned to practice and continued participating shortly after.

– Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) June 6, 2023

“He has worked really hard on the mental side. Physically he’s fit, but mentally it’s a real challenge when you’ve been through something like that,” Beane said.

Beane also stressed that the team will “continue to build him up” during minicamp next week and that the next “big hurdle” for Hamlin will come in training camp. Then it will get more physical, and at some point he will have to make another tackle. But Hamlin seems to be on a good path.

Hamlin had collapsed with a cardiac arrest in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on 3 January after bringing down Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.Hamlin had to be resuscitated several times on the spot and could only be released after several days in intensive care.