Damar Hamlin is one step closer to returning as the Bills open his 21-day practice window following a pectoral injury suffered in October.
The Buffalo Bills have opened the 21-day practice window for safety Damar Hamlin, creating a path for his potential return after spending nearly three months on injured reserve.
Hamlin has been on IR since October 11 after suffering a pectoral injury during practice. With the window now open, the Bills have three weeks to evaluate his progress before making a decision on whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Before landing on IR, Hamlin appeared in five games this season, though his role was limited. He logged just 12 defensive snaps and played 49 snaps on special teams, where most of his contributions came. Hamlin finished that stretch with one tackle, largely serving as a depth option in a crowded safety room rather than a regular defensive contributor.
Entering the season, Hamlin sat behind Cole Bishop and Taylor Rapp on the depth chart. Bishop’s emergence and Rapp’s role alongside the starters left few opportunities for Hamlin to see meaningful time on defense. As a result, his value came primarily on special teams, an area where Buffalo has leaned on veterans to provide stability and experience.
Opening the practice window does not guarantee Hamlin will be activated, but it gives the Bills flexibility as they enter the playoffs. Injuries, particularly in the secondary, can quickly test a team’s depth, and having a player with game experience ready to step in can be important even if his role is limited.
For Hamlin, returning to practice represents another step forward after an injury that sidelined him for much of the season. While his on-field impact prior to the injury was minimal, the opportunity to get back to playing can be beneficial for a team that has dealt with its fair share of injuries in the defensive backfield.
The Bills will now monitor Hamlin over the next three weeks as they determine the best course of action. Whether he ultimately returns to game action or remains on injured reserve, opening his practice window keeps an experienced depth option available as Buffalo tries to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time in over 30 years.