Bills' Damar Hamlin 'scheduled to play' in preseason opener, marking first game since cardiac arrest

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It has been more than seven months since Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest during an NFL game. 

In April, the 25-year-old was cleared to resume football activities, and he was a full participant during the Bills OTAs earlier this offseason. 

After going through drills during training camp over the past couple of weeks, Hamlin is ready to take the next major step in his return to football by playing in a preseason game this weekend.

On Thursday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said the team is taking a "day at a time" approach to Hamlin's playing status. But he later told The Associated Press Hamlin is "scheduled to play" in Saturday's preseason opener against the Colts.

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Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) works out during practice in Orchard Park, N.Y., May 23, 2023.  (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

McDermott has closely followed each milestone of Hamlin’s recovery and praised the third-year safety's resilience.

"This is to some extent uncharted territory for me as well, and all of us. So, we’re just trying to do the best we can to be there for him," McDermott told reporters. "I try to keep a close eye on where he is and where he’s showing up and how he’s responding. And he’s done a great job.

BILLS' DAMAR HAMLIN ADMITS HE WAS 'A LITTLE SCARED' AT FIRST PADDED PRACTICE SINCE CARDIAC ARREST

For Hamlin, it's been a step-by-step process without looking too far ahead.

"Trying to look forward, it just creates a lot of anxiety, a lot of unnecessary feelings," he said. "If you stay in the moment, it allows you to process it when you’re there."

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