Bills set playing return date for safety Damar Hamlin

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin won't have to wait until regular-season play in September to make his much-anticipated return to action.

John Wawrow of the Associated Press noted Friday that Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Hamlin is "scheduled to play" in the team's preseason opener versus the Indianapolis Colts held at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

"This is to some extent uncharted territory for me as well, and all of us. So we’re just trying to do the best we can to be there for him," McDermott explained about Hamlin facing in-game contact. "I try to keep a close eye on where he is and where he’s showing up and how he’s responding. And he’s done a great job." 

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest following what appeared to be a routine tackle during a "Monday Night Football" game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. The 25-year-old nearly lost his life that evening and eventually was diagnosed with commotio cordis, which the American Heart Association says can happen "after a sudden, blunt impact to the chest" that "can disrupt the heartbeat and cause sudden cardiac arrest." 

Hamlin was cleared to resume football-related activities in April and recently participated in his first padded practices since his medical emergency. Per Alec White and Maddy Glab of the Bills' website, Hamlin acknowledged last week that he was trying to avoid "anxiety" related to his return by staying "in the moment" throughout the process. 

For a piece published on July 26, Tim Graham of The Athletic pointed out that Hamlin's spot on Buffalo's active roster through the Week 1 contest at the New York Jets on Sept. 11 isn't guaranteed. As of Friday evening, OddsChecker listed Hamlin as the overwhelming betting favorite at -285 odds to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors for the upcoming campaign.