Damar Hamlin ‘will NOT make his long-awaited return to the NFL tonight in New York… as the Buffalo Bills decide to play it safe eight months after he suffered cardiac arrest on the field’

Damar Hamlin will have to wait for his long-awaited return to the NFL, with the safety reportedly sitting out the Bills’ season opener against the Jets tonight.

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and required CPR on the field during a “Monday Night Football” game against the Bengals in January.

Tonight’s visit to MetLife Stadium was expected to deliver an inspiring comeback, but according to… ESPNThe 25-year-old is not expected to be active against the Jets.

It’s not said that Hamlin has had any setbacks in his recovery, but the decision to leave him out is down to the Bills preferring to play it safe.

Monday’s clash with the Jets promises to be an emotionally charged evening in New York, with Aaron Rodgers making his debut for the Jets on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

Hamlin took a huge step toward completing his comeback late last month when he made the cut after the Bills cut their roster to 53 players.

The 25-year-old, who was selected by the Bills in the 2021 NFL draft, has claimed a backup role behind starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.

Hamlin was put into a medically induced coma after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.

He returned to action during the preseason, with his emotional return against the Indianapolis Colts on August 12 – seven months after his scare on January 2.

Hamlin collapsed after making a tackle in the early stages of the Bills’ trip to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Medics performed CPR on the safety, who was placed on a ventilator and remained in a Buffalo hospital for more than a week.

“I made the choice that I wanted to play, you know, it was nobody’s choice but mine,” Hamlin said after the Bills’ preseason win against Indianapolis.

“So when you see my cleats strapped on and my helmet and shoulder pads on, there won’t be any hesitation anymore.”

A week later, in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Hamlin was selected as captain for the coin toss before the Bills took on the Steelers.

“It was very special, like a moment of serendipity, like life had come full circle for me,” he said. “It’s just something indescribable.”

Overall, Hamlin finished the preseason with nine solo tackles and one assist while playing 80 defensive snaps and 19 more on special teams.

“From my non-medical standpoint, I think he ticked all the boxes in that regard,” coach Sean McDermott said. “There’s been just enough of a monster that you say was executed well and came out healthy.”