Damar Hamlin Awake With Family in Hospital, Agent Says

The Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin is awake in the hospital and responding to family members there, according to his agent.

The injured player has been in critical condition after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during the first quarter of the Bills' Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin opened his eyes Wednesday night and is responsive, according to a tweet from sportswriter Ian Rapoport. The 24-year-old NFL star was gripping the hands of family members around his hospital bed, his agent, Ronald Butler, told the Associated Press on Thursday.

Hamlin was in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was transported after collapsing following his tackle of Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. CPR was performed on the field before an ambulance arrived.

The Bills-Bengals game did not resume after Hamlin's collapse, and the NFL said on Tuesday the game will not be continued this week. It is not known when the league will decide to resume the game.

On Thursday morning, the Bills posted an update on Twitter about Hamlin's medical condition, citing physicians at the hospital.

"Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours. While still critically ill, he was demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress," the team wrote.

Hamlin's medical condition has drawn emotional reactions from fans and other NFL players, who expressed their concern and wishes for his recovery after the news broke.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters on Wednesday that his "heart just breaks for everyone involved." Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said the incident "puts life into perspective."

Meanwhile, other NFL players extended their well-wishes to Hamlin, including Higgins.

"My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland the Hamlin Family. I'm praying that you pull through bro," Higgins wrote on Twitter.

On Tuesday, the NFL told Newsweek that "our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills.... The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association, which is in agreement with postponing the game."

News of Hamlin's collapse led to criticism of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, with some social media users calling for his resignation.

"Roger Goodell was ready to force the Bills and Bengals players back on the field a mere five minutes after Damar Hamlin collapsed. Please join me in calling on the @NFL owners to #FireRogerGoodell," wrote Twitter user Mitchell Plitnick, president of the ReThinking Foreign Policy organization.

Newsweek reached out to the Buffalo Bills for additional information and comment.

Update 1/5/2023, 12:23 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include additional background and information.