To begin the week, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that no players were set to open their 21-day return window ahead of the team’s Wild Card matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bills Mafia had hoped defensive leader Ed Oliver would make it back to the active roster for the postseason, but so far, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Still, the Bills' defense did get some positive news on the IR front on Wednesday. While McDermott said Oliver is trending in the right direction and could have his window opened next week or later, it was the secondary that got some good news during his weekly press conference.
McDermott announced that veteran safety Damar Hamlin’s 21-day window opened on Wednesday, putting him on track to return to the team within the next three weeks, so long as the Bills' season continues.
Damar Hamlin on track to provide depth for Buffalo Bills' defense in playoffs
Hamlin, who has been out of action since Week 5 with a pectoral injury, isn’t expected to be back in the lineup against the Jags just yet, but he is at least on the practice field for the Buffalo defense this week. If the team doctors clear Hamlin, though, he’ll be available to step in and help the Bills' secondary against a dangerous Jaguars passing attack. Otherwise, Hamlin will have to hope Buffalo handles business at EverBank Stadium on Sunday to ensure another opportunity at wearing a Bills uniform again.
Hamlin’s contract is up once the Bills’ season comes to an end, and there are no guarantees he’ll be back with the team in 2026 with free agency on the table. After all, Hamlin wasn’t starting in the first five weeks of the season, grabbing just one tackle for the 2025 campaign.
With Cole Bishop stepping up amid the injuries on the back end, plus the addition of Darnell Savage, and Taylor Rapp’s eventual return, the safety room is getting crowded. If Hamlin wants a shot at a starting gig again, his best bet may come elsewhere in the NFL.
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Nonetheless, the prospect of having Hamlin back is important for the Bills this postseason, regarding both his value as depth in the secondary and in working on special teams.
Hamlin has been an inspirational figure on the Bills’ roster for years, even if he hasn’t always been the most productive player on the back end of the defense. In his five seasons in Buffalo, Hamlin has 185 career tackles, eight for a loss, 1.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions.