Bills safety Hamlin present but not taking part in opening days of voluntary practice

The Buffalo Bills are taking it slowly with safety Damar Hamlin, who is being held back from participating in the team's first few days of voluntary practices some five months after having a near-death experience on the field, head coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday.

"We're taking it one day at a time and just support Damar in every way possible," McDermott said from Orchard Park, N.Y., when asked of Hamlin's status, while noting the player is present at the facility. The coach otherwise did not provide any timetable as to when Hamlin can begin on-field sessions a month after being cleared to resume his NFL career.

The 25-year-old Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the first quarter of a game at Cincinnati and being broadcast to a national prime-time audience on Jan. 2.

The Bills' slow approach to Hamlin's practice participation appears in line with how they've eased back other players coming off major injuries. And it's understandable regarding Hamlin, given how much time he missed during a lengthy recuperation process that limited him from much physical exertion before reporting for the team's voluntary workout program last month.

Hamlin still required a respirator to help him breathe for several weeks after being released from the hospital in mid-January.

He has made it clear he wants to resume playing. Saying his heart was still in the game, Hamlin announced his NFL comeback a little over a month ago after being cleared to play by the Bills and several independent specialists.

Not wanting to give into fear and concern, Hamlin said there was little chance of the episode recurring in revealing specialists agreed his heart