Damar Hamlin is officially playing again. The Buffalo Bills safety was a full participant at practice with his teammates for the first time since going into cardiac arrest in January. The Bills hosted OTAs, and Hamlin got a taste of real NFL action in five months.

There was a slightly scary moment for the Bills and Hamlin when he allegedly struggled to get back on his feet after going after a ball in practice, needing help to get up. However, he returned to the workout with his teammates and resumed drills after the athletics trainers determined he was fine.

Hamlin practiced with the Bills in May, but he wasn’t wearing a helmet or pads during the workout, easing his way back into practice. Hamlin, who won the 2022 NFL George Halas Award for his perseverance after his near-death experience, looked energetic and upbeat during the practice.

For the first time in an OTA open to the media, Damar Hamlin wore his helmet and was a full participant in practice. Big step forward. pic.twitter.com/4NVoPBhgFI

— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) June 6, 2023

Hamlin has been vocal about resuming his football career, and once doctors allowed him to play again, he was on a mission to make that moment a reality. Everyone will remember the terrifying moment during the January “Monday Night Football” game between the Buffalo Bill and the Cincinnati Bengals, when Hamiln collapsed at the end of a play, requiring CPR in the middle of the field.

The scary incident happened only minutes into the game’s first quarter, shortly after Hamlin tackled Tee Higgins. The 2021 sixth-round draft pick seemed to get up after the stop but seemingly lost consciousness as he got to his feet, falling back to the ground. Medical personnel raced onto the field, performing CPR on him for several minutes. He was eventually taken off the field in an ambulance.

NFL officials decided not to continue the game. Prayers poured in for Hamlin as teammates and Bengals players visited him at the hospital. It was eventually revealed that he had gone into cardiac arrest. However, Hamlin started to recover and was released from the hospital in Cincinnati to return home to Buffalo and continue treatment.

After his terrifying ordeal earlier this year, it’s a miracle and a blessing that Damar Hamlin can continue his football career. Only time will tell if he’ll ever return to his normal self. Still, the fact that he’s alive is a blessing.