Damar Hamlin officially placed on IR, here's how Bills will replace him

Damar Hamlin was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. Many scouts believed that he would not make it far in the league.

When Bills safety Micah Hyde went down with a neck injury in the second game of the 2022 NFL season, Hamlin stepped up big time, proving those scouts wrong.

Bills' Hamlin breathing on his own, joins team via video

Hamlin, 24, is now the team's second-leading tackler, just four shy from the No. 1 spot. He has made himself a vital part of Buffalo's Super Bowl aspirations and will be difficult to replace.

On Friday, the franchise officially placed Hamlin on injured reserve and activated cornerback Christian Benford.

They also signed safety Jared Mayden from the New York Jets' practice squad. Hamlin's likely replacement, however, is safety Jaquan Johnson, who has 228 special teams snaps this year.

Damar Hamlin, bigger than football

Hamlin continues to recover from a jarring hit on Monday Night Football that stopped his heart and kept him from breathing.

Now that the scariest part of this entire situation is behind Hamlin, he'll be glad to see how the entire NFL community came together in his name.

He has already talked to his temmates via Zoom and reportedly told them to focus on Sunday's home game against a New England Patriots side looking to clinch a playoff spot.

"To know that that's what he wants, that's what his dad wants, I think guys are excited to get out there," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said.

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