Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is showing "remarkable improvement" in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
The 24-year-old collapsed after tackling Tee Higgins in the first quarter of the match at the Paycor Stadium, having stood up briefly before falling back down.
Hamlin was immediately given CPR on the field before being rushed to hospital in an ambulance, and the match was suspended as the tearful sets of players returned to the locker room.
Hamlin's condition was listed as critical following his arrival at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but the Bills have now offered a positive update on his condition.
"Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours," a post on social media read.
"While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress. We are grateful for the love and support we have received."
Hamlin's heartbeat was restored on the field before he was rushed to hospital, and emergency room specialist Dr Anthony Cardillo believes that he is in the best possible situation to recover.
"The primary concern is the length of time that he was not having cardiac activity. Every second counts," Dr Cardillo told CNN. "If you get hit at a very exact moment, it's within milliseconds - that's when you're in cardiac arrest.
"We know that he's a young 24, healthy, conditioned athlete. He's in the greatest possible situation to come back to a normal life at this point, but our prayers are with him to make sure he does recover like that."
Hamlin was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft and has started 13 games for Sean McDermott's team in the 2022 NFL season.
