- After suffering a cardiac arrest during a game seven months ago, Damar Hamlin is at training camp preparing for the start of the 2023 NFL season.
- Hamlin collapsed following a hard collision with Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old safety’s heart had stopped on the field, prompting a suspension of the matchup.
- The 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds point to Hamlin winning the award handily.
Seven months after collapsing and lying motionless on the field, Damar Hamlin is fully cleared by doctors to play football. Hamlin has been a full participant in training camp for the Buffalo Bills. Oddsmakers at BetUS have listed Hamlin as the -750 betting favorite to win the Comeback Player of the Year award.
As we approach the start of the 2023 NFL Preseason, Hamlin has little competition. There is Hamlin at -750 and then Trey Lance, Tua Tagovailoa, and Russell Wilson at +2500 odds.
Exceptional situations like this do not happen often in the NFL. It is the second time since 1996 that a player’s heart has stopped on the field. The Lions’ Reggie Brown had to be resuscitated on the field after he suffered a spinal cord-related injury.
Fortunately, both stories have a good ending with Hamlin and Brown being saved on the field. In Brown’s situation, he would have a long path to recovery and would never play football again. Hamlin, who suffered a different type of injury than Brown, made a complete recovery in months.
What Can We Expect From Hamlin In 2023?
The fact that Hamlin survived his ordeal is the biggest win of all. Also, being able to live a normal life with no complications from cardiac arrest was an outstanding development. Getting back on the football field the following season is only an additional bonus on top of Hamlin’s health being in good order.
A warm welcome for Damar Hamlin into training camp ❤️ 💙
(via @BuffaloBills)pic.twitter.com/Acdleyrxjd
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 26, 2023
Now that Hamlin has recovered, the next question on everyone’s mind is how Hamlin can contribute to the Bills in 2023. Expecting Hamlin to get back to football and play like he was last season is asking a lot. From a football standpoint, the cardiac arrest derailed a career that was on the right track.
The sixth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft was receiving accolades and getting playing time in his second season in the NFL.
In 15 games, Hamlin recorded 63 tackles, 28 assists, and 1.5 sacks. Due to injuries in the secondary, he was able to start 13 games and was third on the Bills in tackles last year. Hamlin was playing solid football, with high expectations for his role on the team in 2023.
If everything works out perfectly for Hamlin, he will transition right back onto the field and play like nothing happened.
If Not Hamlin, Then Who?
Hamlin is going to win this award regardless of his impact on the football field in 2023. The fact that he is participating in training camp and is healthy should be enough to give Hamlin the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
There is a good reason why Hamlin has -750 odds to win this award. He does not need to have nearly as much success as the rest of the Comeback Player of the Year candidates to be considered.
That being said, Lance, Tagovailoa, and Wilson seem like worthy choices if they have strong seasons. Lance is coming off a devastating season-ending ankle injury last September against the Seahawks.
Lance is reportedly impressing coaches and teammates early on in camp. The 49ers are going to be a good team. They are tied with the Bengals for the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl in 2024. Lance has an opportunity to play a big role on a championship-caliber roster.
The Dolphins’ Tagovailoa is a viable choice, too. In addition to suffering serious concussions and considering early retirement, Tagovailoa has also dealt with injured ribs and a fractured finger in the past.
Then, there’s Russ. No serious injuries to report, just a guy that looked overwhelmed in his first year in Denver. It will be interesting to see how he works with new Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton.
Nevertheless, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year award has Hamlin’s name written on it. He likely can’t do anything wrong this season to deter voters.
