Bills, rookie CB Kaiir Elam provide huge, positive updates on Damar Hamlin

The news from both the Bills and Elam's official Twitter accounts came out hours after it was reported that Hamlin's father spoke with the team via Zoom on Wednesday and told them that the second-year pro was making progress. Thursday's tweets from the Bills and the rookie cornerback are more items that should continue to lift the spirits of "Bills Mafia," all sports fans and all across the world who have been keeping Hamlin in their thoughts.

Seeing Elam write that Hamlin is, "awake," and hearing from the team directly that the physicians say that he has shown, "remarkable improvement," will surely put smiles on many faces in Western New York and beyond.

During the first quarter of Buffalo's "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, Hamlin collapsed on the field and suffered a cardiac arrest and was transported to UC Medical Center. The game was postponed, and while there has been no final word on whether the contest will eventually be resumed, the NFL has announced that it won't happen this week.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, many members of both the Bills and Bengals came together in support of Hamlin, and some visited the 24-year-old at the hospital, including Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Scores of fans on both sides have spent parts of the week outside the building, praying for Hamlin as well.

The Pittsburgh product was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and had played in all 15 of the team's games leading into Week 17, making 13 starts. Hamlin is tied for second on the team with 91 combined tackles and has recorded 1.5 sacks as well.

Hopefully more positive updates will continue to come out Thursday and Friday, as the Bills prepare to host the New England Patriots in Week 18 at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.