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Alaina GetzenbergESPN
CINCINNATI — Bills safety Damar Hamlin was taken off the field in an ambulance after receiving treatment for over 10 minutes, which resulted in the game between Buffalo and the Cincinnati Bengals being suspended until further notice Monday night.
CPR was administered to Hamlin on the field for several minutes after he collapsed on the field following a play in the first quarter. He appeared to be receiving oxygen as he was placed in the ambulance and taken off the field some 16 minutes after he collapsed.
The injury took place after Hamlin tackled wide receiver Tee Higgins and quickly got up afterwards. He then abruptly collapsed with athletic trainers coming to help immediately. A stretcher was immediately brought to the field as athletic trainers protected his head.
The entire Bill’s sideline surrounded Hamlin as he received care. Multiple Bills players were visibly distressed and comforting each other as he was cared for. Many had to turn their backs so as not to watch Hamlin in distress.
The first attempt to move Hamlin resulted in him being brought back down onto the field, but he was ultimately placed into an ambulance, which left the stadium at about 9:25 pm ET. Hamlin’s family came down from the stands to be with him in the ambulance.
After Hamlin exited the field, Bills players knelt together in a circle and then returned to the sideline, with the defense heading back on the field to resume play. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs called everyone over for a word.
However, instead of resuming play, Bengals coach Zac Taylor walked over to Bills counterpart Sean McDermott and met with game officials present. The decision was then made to pause the game — which the Bengals were leading 7-3 — some 21 minutes after the injury.