ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) â Bills safety Damar Hamlin was released from a Buffalo hospital on Wednesday, more than a week after he went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated during a game at Cincinnati, after his doctors said they completed a series of tests.
A news release from the Bills quoted Dr. Jamie Nadler as saying: "We have completed a series of tests and evaluation and in consultation with the team physicians, we are confident that Damar can be safely discharged." Nadler said Hamlin will continue his rehabilitation with the Bills.
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Hamlin is going home after spending two days undergoing tests at Buffalo General Medical Center. He was transferred to Buffalo on Monday after spending last week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where the 24-year-old from the Pittsburgh area experienced what doctors called "a remarkable recovery."
The news came as the Bills returned to practice to prepare to host their division rival Miami Dolphins in a wild-card playoff game on Sunday.
Coach Sean McDermott said it would be up to Hamlin whether he would visit the team.
"His health is first and foremost on our mind a far as his situation goes," McDermott told reporters. "We'll welcome him back as he feels ready."
FILE - Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin with his helmet off before playing the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game, Sept. 8, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif.Â
Hamlin collapsed on the field after being struck in the chest by Bengals receiver Tee Higgins while making what appeared to be a routine tackle during the first quarter of Buffalo's since-canceled game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.
He spent the first two days in hospital under sedation. He was awakened and able to grip people's hands at his bedside, and eventually taken off a ventilator and able to address his teammates on Friday.
His doctors said Hamlin's progress in recovering from cardiac arrest, considered a life-threatening event, has been normal to accelerated, and that he was able to cheer on the Bills from his hospital bed during their win over the New England Patriots last weekend.
He has been tweeting his gratitude to fans and medical staff in recent days. "Keep me in y'all prayers please!" he wrote Tuesday.
Doctors have said it is premature to comment on the potential cause of Hamlin's cardiac arrest. The news release did not provide any information on what the tests revealed.
The Bills wore No. 3 Hamlin patches on their jerseys Sunday and honored their teammate by raising three fingers in the closing minutes. It was part of a league-wide outpouring of support for the second-year player out of Pitt, whose collapse during the Monday night game and the frightening aftermath was seen by millions of television viewers. With an ambulance standing by on the field, medical personnel frantically worked on Hamlin for several minutes as anguished teammates looked on, some of them in tears.
In the days that followed, $8.6 million in GoFundMe donations poured into Hamlin's toy drive fundraiser, which will be used to support young people through education and sports.
He also will use proceeds from the sale of new T-shirts, emblazoned with "Did We Win?" along with his hands in the shape of a heart, to raise money for the trauma center in Cincinnati that initially treated him.
Photos: NFL teams, players, fans pay tribute to Damar Hamlin
Fans stand for photographs by a sign in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans sign a poster with messages of support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin outside Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Players and staff wear shirts in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during practices before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) warms up in a Damar Hamlin jersey in support of the Buffalo Bills safety during pregame before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
A patch showing support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is seen on a Bills jersey before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, center, walks the field during practice while players wear the number 3 in support of safety Damar Hamlin during practice before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A fan holds a poster honoring injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell signs autographs for fans on their signs bearing the number 3 in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A fan holds a sign in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during practice before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A monitor displays Love for Damar to honor injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Buffalo Bills running back Taiwan Jones (25) kneels in prayer for safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
A medical professional holds up a heart and three fingers per hand in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
"Love for Damar 3" is displayed in honor of an injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders wear wear arm bands honoring injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin as they perform in the first half of an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
The Cincinnati Bengals show support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Fans hold signs in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) holds a flag in support of teammate Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Fans hold up signs in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
Fans show their support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) with signs and costumes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Fans show their support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) with signs and costumes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park. Hamlin remains hospitalized after suffering a catastrophic on-field collapse in the team's previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
A fan holds a sign in honor of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith wears a shirt honoring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin as he works out prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts gather on the field before their NFL football game in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Buffalo Bills fans hold up three fingers in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)
A spectator holds a sign in honor of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
"Love for Damar 3" is displayed in honor of an injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
A video board at Levi's Stadium shows a message for Damar Hamlin during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) stands on the sideline during a pause in support of injured Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. The Steelers won 28-14. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
A fan holds a sign in a show of support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the first half of an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The number 3 is outlined in Buffalo Bills red for safety Damar Hamlin on the field at Acrisure Stadium after an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
A fan holds up a sign paying tribute to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before the start of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
A stadium video monitor displays a message honoring injured Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin before an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Miami Dolphins mascot T.D. holds a sign stating "Love for 3 Hamlin Strong" in support of Buffalo Bill safety Damar Hamlin, on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)



