It is still being determined if and when the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals will finish their postponed game.
With safety Damar Hamlin's health the primary focus, the conversations on what will happen to the postponed Bills-Bengals game just started, Jeff Miller, NFL Executive Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs & Policy, said on Wednesday.
“They're (the conversations are) ongoing,” Miller said during an early afternoon conference call. “We have no announcement to make at this time. Obviously, we're going to have to make a decision on that in the coming days, which we will. But there's a lot of considerations in place there and a lot of people that we want to consult with, including the clubs involved before that decision is final.”
Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, said that the league could not pivot to focusing on the game while still primarily concerned with Hamlin’s health and safety. Hamlin remains in critical condition, but has shown signs of improvement, the Bills announced Wednesday.
"It was literally (that) all of the focus has been on Damar, and we have just begun … to just think through and talk through all of the different scenarios and where that game stands, and when to play it, so on and so forth," Vincent said on Wednesday. "All attention, most attention, will still be focused on getting answers out, to your questions for the general public, and also the clubs as well."
The NFL is exploring multiple scenarios for the Week 17 game.
"Everything is being considered," Vincent said. "And I hope to dive into that full steam ahead at the conclusion of this call."
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow deferred to what makes sense for the Bills.
“I think that would be tough, just scheduling wise,” Burrow told Cincinnati media Wednesday. “Whatever Buffalo would want to do is what we would want to do. We’re behind them 100%.”
In the meantime, the Week 18 schedule remains as planned. The Bills are slated to host the New England Patriots on Sunday at 1 p.m. Given how traumatizing this week has been for the Bills, Vincent was asked if there has been any consideration to postpone this weekend's game as well.
"We have not had that discussion," Vincent said. "We have literally – and I say myself and commissioner and others – are just constantly talking to the clubs and in particular the Bills," Vincent said. "It's really important that we just keep the pulse of the coach and the players, and don't get in front of that.
“And we'll allow (Bills coach) Sean (McDermott) and his team and his staff and the players, which are the most important thing here, to guide us if we have to make that decision collectively with the club and what's best for Sean and his team and the players."
The Bills held a walkthrough on Wednesday in advance of their scheduled meeting with the Patriots.
In noting how all conversations with the Bills at the time have revolved around the mental health of coaches, players and staff, Vincent acknowledged the weight Hamlin’s emergency and the concern for his wellbeing have held on an anguished McDermott.
“Frankly, my concern is to make sure the men have what they need to function,” Vincent said. “And that's getting through this day. Tomorrow is going to take care of itself.”
“So, from my communications with the club and those players, it's just strictly been around making sure they're okay to check in and being able to access those resources that are available to them. It is tough. And coach is still battling.”
