ALERT PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE DAMAR HAMLIN Bills placing S Damar Hamlin on IR. US NFL Injury Report
ALERT PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE DAMAR HAMLIN
Damar Hamlin Placed on Injured Reserve: Latest UpdatesOn October 11, 2025, the Buffalo Bills officially placed safety Damar Hamlin on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury sustained during practice this week. This move, confirmed by head coach Sean McDermott during a press conference, means Hamlin will miss at least the next four games, with the potential to be sidelined much longer—possibly for the remainder of the 2025 season. Hamlin, who has primarily contributed on special teams this season (appearing in all five games without a defensive snap), will create an open roster spot for the Bills as they prepare for Monday night’s Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Highmark Stadium.Injury Context and Timeline
- How It Happened: Hamlin’s pectoral injury occurred in practice earlier this week, limiting his participation in Thursday’s session. McDermott noted the team’s careful monitoring but ultimately decided on IR placement to prioritize recovery.
- Season Impact So Far: Entering Week 6, Hamlin had been a key special teams player but hadn’t seen defensive action in 2025. His absence adds to a growing injury list, including:
- LB Matt Milano (pectoral): Ruled out for the Falcons game; injury worsened after attempting to play through it last week.
- DT T.J. Sanders (knee): Also placed on IR today; expected to undergo surgery but not considered season-ending. McDermott described it as a day-to-day decision that didn’t improve.
- Other notables: TE Dalton Kincaid (oblique, limited practice), DT Ed Oliver (ankle, limited but trending up), and LB Dorian Williams (limited).
- Roster Implications: The Bills could elevate rookie safety Jordan Hancock from the practice squad to fill Hamlin’s special teams role. There’s also speculation about signing veteran safety Jordan Poyer to the 53-man roster, though it’s not immediate. Additionally, the IR spots for Hamlin and Sanders coincide with the potential return of suspended defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi after their six-game bans for PED violations end soon.
Broader Background on HamlinDamar Hamlin, 27, has been a resilient figure for the Bills since his remarkable recovery from a cardiac arrest during a January 2023 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He returned to the field that August, playing in limited roles through 2023 and 2024, including earning a 2025 Pro Bowl alternate nod for his 2024 performance. This pectoral setback is unrelated to his prior health scare but underscores the Bills’ challenging injury wave early in the season.Fan and Team ReactionsSocial media buzz reflects concern and support for Hamlin, with fans recalling his 2023 incident and sending prayers. Key posts include:
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter breaking the news: “Bills are placing S Damar Hamlin on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury.”
- Bills beat reporter Matt Parrino: Highlighting the growing injury list, including Kincaid’s oblique issue.
- Fan sentiment: Posts like “Prayers to Damar Hamlin, still haven’t forgotten the horrific incident years ago” show the emotional weight of his history.
The Bills (currently 3-2 after a Week 5 loss) face a tough test against the Falcons without these key depth pieces. Updates on Hamlin’s recovery and roster moves are expected as the team navigates this stretch.