Damien Harris of the Buffalo Bills was taken off the field in an ambulance following a neck injury.
The incident on “Sunday Night Football” brought back memories of safety Damar Hamlin’s near-death experience on the field last season in Cincinnati.
After a hard hit that injured his neck, Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris was taken off the field in an ambulance Sunday night, a terrifying scene reminiscent of Damar Hamlin’s collapse 10 months ago.
Harris was brought down late in the second quarter of the “Sunday Night Football” game in Orchard Park, New York, on a third-and-inches play by New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke.
Harris was conscious after the tackle, moving his arms and head, but he couldn’t get up as worried teammates and opponents gathered around him.
Highmark Stadium fell silent as medical personnel rushed onto the field, strapped Harris to a stretcher, and loaded him into an ambulance. After a five-minute pause, play was resumed.
Harris suffered a neck injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game, according to the Bills.
Relieved After the game, Bills coach Sean McDermott stated that Harris was “heading in a good direction” and had regained “full movement” of his extremities.
“From what I understand, he has full movement,” McDermott said after his team’s thrilling 14-9 victory over the Giants. “We are fortunate that, based on the reports we are receiving, he appears to be on the right track.” So I’m grateful to God for that.”
Harris, a backup running back, is in his fifth professional season after playing at Alabama. After spending the previous four seasons with the New England Patriots, this is his first season in Buffalo.
In 2021, he had his best season, rushing for 929 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns.
The ambulance that took Harris off the field on Sunday is emblazoned with “3” on each of its back doors in memory of Hamlin, his teammate who nearly died on the field last season during a game in Cincinnati on Jan. 3.
After a routine tackle early in the game, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest. Before he was rushed to the hospital, medical personnel performed CPR and his heartbeat was restored.The game was canceled.
He has returned to the team, but he has seen limited action this season.
