Damar Hamlin’s Strong Message Ahead of Chiefs Clash Amid Injury Concerns as Bills Star Opens Up on Struggles

“I made it through by the grace of God.” Those were the words of Damar Hamlin when he returned to Paycor Stadium, where his life changed forever. On that same field, Hamlin had collapsed while his heart stopped beating. “I looked death in the face. I faced death,” Hamlin said, remembering that moment. But after a year of fighting through a whirlwind of emotions, with question marks hovering over his future on the gridiron, the Bills’ safety is now on his way to the AFC Championship game with one foot already on the Super Bowl.

All he wants right now is to give the Bills Mafia their first Lombardi after facing a difficult period in 2023. See, Hamlin only played 5 games last season because of the cardiac arrest he suffered. So, when the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs by their next opponents, the Chiefs, Hamlin wanted to be more than just a team player, “I’m not here to get cardio. I want to make a difference on the team, I want to be a leader. I want to have high expectations…for me. And I’m coming back for camp in that mindset.”

There was even a time when Hamlin almost lost his determination to come back because of the adversity he went through. “I wanted to be the farthest away I could from our facility, at times. In meetings, just football language, things like, it would have killed them. Or we’ll be dead. I was triggered by so much, like regular football communication. And it would f— with my day-to-day life.” Well, the Bills will be glad that Hamlin didn’t let those emotions get the better of him.

His 2024 regular season ended with him recording 89 total tackles in just 13 games. However, his best moment came in the postseason last week when he sacked Lamar Jackson while forcing a fumble out of the two-time MVP’s hand. Von Miller reacted quickly and drove into the Ravens’ territory. That was just one of the many instances of the Bills’ defense stepping up against Baltimore. However, the work is not done for the Buffalo team.

This isn’t regular season Chiefs, whom they won against in Buffalo earlier. It’s postseason Kansas City, who have defeated the Bills three times since 2021. Hamlin played a part in two of those heartbreaks. But this time, he isn’t letting go of the opportunity while backing himself to get the job done. “I don’t know, man. I don’t want to it to myself. But I believe in myself. That’s how I got here.” However, there could be a bit of a problem with Hamlin’s availability in Kansas City, as per the latest injury reports.

Is Damar Hamlin injured?

On Friday’s injury report released by the Bills, Damar Hamlin’s name was found in the list of full participants. But he may have suffered a rib injury either against the Ravens or during the practice sessions this week. Because there weren’t any concerns before about his availability.

When Hamlin was asked to share his thoughts on facing the Chiefs, he was over the moon by the prospect of coming up against the reigning Super Bowl Champions, “It’s super exciting. To be playing for an AFC Championship is like crazy to think about, and it’s only right going up there and playing them…Best record in the NFL. So, it’s only right that you got to go through Arrowhead. One of my favorite places to play.”

So, judging by Hamlin’s thoughts, he all set to face off against the Chiefs. And with minimal injury concerns, it doesn’t look like the Bills safety would be missing this golden opportunity. Winning vs Kansas City would be huge for the Bills’ chances of lifting their first Vince Lombardi in franchise history. And this will surely stop their postseason drought against the Chiefs by denying them a way to a historical 3-peat.