CBS Sports

‘On Tuesday, the Bills announced Hamlin remains hospitalized at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute and is going through a series of testing and evaluation. Hamlin tweeted an update on his status as well…’.

‘”When you put real love out into the world it comes back to you 3X’s as much,” Hamlin wrote on his Instagram page. “The love has been overwhelming, but I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. We brung the world back together behind this. If you know me you know this only gone make me stronger. On a long road keep praying for me!”‘

‘The Bills did have their fare share of takeaways and some crucial ones at that, but great teams always find a way to bounce back from those mistakes and the Bills are a great team.’

‘Players came out wearing a No. 3 patch, Hamlin shirts and his No. 3 in the “30” yard marker was outlined in blue. Players were clearly emotional ahead of the game, as they prepared to play their first snaps since the scary scene.’

‘With Hamlin watching from a hospital in Ohio, the Bills honored him before the game and then Nyheim Hines honored him on the opening kickoff by returning it 96 yards for a touchdown. The stunning touchdown sent everyone at Highmark Stadium into a frenzy as players and fans alike celebrated the improbable fact that the Bills were able to score on their first play since Hamlin’s injury.’

‘”Mario, [Hamlin’s father], talking to us as a team, he kinda told us — demanded us — [to play for his son], and you can’t not honor his request to go out there and charge forward to the best of our abilities,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said Thursday. “Today’s news was a lot of tears of joy, but … that’s what he wants, that’s what his dad wants, and guys are excited to get out there. … We wanna go out there and play for 3. It’ll be a huge driving force.”‘

‘The Bills will be showing their support for Hamlin on Sunday during their game against the Patriots by wearing patches that feature his No. 3.’

‘Sanders went to Woodland Hills and Hamlin played his high school ball at Central Catholic, and that’s where the two were able to spark a friendship. They each stayed in the state to play college ball as well, with Sanders starring at Penn State, while Hamlin went to Pitt. Two years ago, they, along with a trio of other Pittsburgh natives in the NFL, founded the Pittsburgh to Pro camp, which is a free summer football camp for 300 Pittsburgh youths.’

‘This scenario involves the Kansas City chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals — all of which were eligible for the No. 1 seed heading into Week 17. Kansas City won its Week 17 matchup while the Buffalo-Cincinnati game was canceled after Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field. Buffalo and Cincinnati will play 16 games while the rest of the NFL will play the full 17-game slate.’

‘The NFL world has come together in support for Hamlin and his family, donating millions to his charity, The Chasing M’s Foundation. Since the injury, players and coaches around the league have sent their support to Hamlin as each update on his health became available.’

‘The NFL is also giving the Ravens a chance to possibly host a wild card game even though Baltimore will be finishing in second place in the AFC North no matter what happens on Sunday against the Bengals. Even if the Ravens win, that would put them at 11-6, which would still be a half game behind Cincinnati, which would finish 11-5 with a loss.’

‘On Friday, the Bills provided a positive update on Hamlin, saying his breathing tube was removed, indicating he is breathing on his own. The team added that Hamlin “continues to progress remarkably in his recovery. His neurologic function remains intact and he has been able to talk to his family and care team,” per the physicians at UCMC.’

‘There is no precedent for what the NFL is facing right now. Never before has an NFL game started, been postponed and never resumed, according to CBS Sports research. And not since 1935 has the league had a season where some teams play more games than others, when Philadelphia and Boston each played 11 games in a 12-game schedule, with their game being canceled due to bad weather.’

‘”We had significant concern about him after the injury, but he is making substantial progress,” Dr. Timothy Pritts, of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, told reporters via conference call. “As of (Thursday) morning, he is beginning to awaken, and it appears that his neurologic function is intact.”‘

‘”Mario, [Hamlin’s father], talking to us as a team, he kinda told us — demanded us — [to play for his son], and you can’t not honor his request to go out there and charge forward to the best of our abilities,” Allen said. “Today’s news was a lot of tears of joy, but … that’s what he wants, that’s what his dad wants, and guys are excited to get out there. … We wanna go out there and play for 3. It’ll be a huge driving force.”‘