Damar Hamlin update: Breathing tube removed, spoke with team over video

Damar Hamlin’s recovery has hit another positive milestone. He was able to speak with Buffalo Bills teammates over video on Friday.

Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin has turned a corner in his recovery. After waking up on Wednesday night and making noticeable improvement into Thursday, he had his breathing tube removed on Thursday night/Friday morning and has spoken his first words according to the Bills.

After being able to speak to his family and the team leading his recovery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, he also video called with his teammates according to the team. He told them, “love you boys.”

Damar Hamlin’s injury and recovery

Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on Monday night after making a defensive play against the Cincinnati Bengals. He tackled Tee Higgins, who made a catch. He stood up and promptly fell down.

Medical team members from the Bills administered CPR within one minute and were able to save his life. Hamlin was transported to the area’s only Level 1 trauma center and put in the intensive care unit. He was intubated on Monday night.

Here is a full timeline of the injury from Monday night. And here is a full timeline of his recovery so far, which has ramped up in the last 48 hours.

Since the injury, the NFL community has stood by him, in part by raising awareness for his charitable efforts to buy toys for needy children. His GoFundMe page has raised over $7 million. Cameron Wolfe reported the family is looking to establish an official nonprofit for his organization.