the cardiac arrest toar Hamlin suffered on January 2nd 2023 gried the nation and United the Sports World As We all hoped for a positive outcome Hamlin not only survived the life-threatening incident but the Buffalo Bills safety played in five games the very next NFL season now two seasons removed from the frightening episode Hamlin is entering week one a starter for his team with budding confidence and joy I'm feeling confident man Hamlin on behalf of invisaline who's worked with over 500 NFL players through their treatment prog told USA Today sports being able to just believe in yourself and knowing who you are I'm just locked in trying to do my best one day at a time coaches noticed during offseason workouts and training camp that Hamlin was playing fre or 20 months after his Cardiac Arrest as the bills prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals in week one it's to be expected bills head coach Sean mcdermit said of Hamlin playing with less tension and apprehension an increased Focus from a year ago increased urgency and really just getting back to what he was it's to be expected again with respect to the situation that he went through it's fun watching him have fun out here I think he's been able to do that and you can tell he means business the bills endured an offseason makeover that saw established starters depart the team including wide receiver Stefan Diggs Center Mitch mors and safeties Jordan puyer and Micah Hyde Hamlin remains friends with his former teammates and credits digs for helping him regain the confidence to return to football he told USA today's sports he played plans to send the now Houston Texans wide receiver a new chain soon I appreciate him he's a big part of getting myself back into this journey I'm on Hamlin said of digs he helped me shape my life just watching him be himself I was able to like get my Hunger back all forever like love him differently because of the all the Bills roster changes Hamlin is slated to have an increased role this year in the buffalo's defensive backfield mcdermit told reporters Wednesday that Hamlin will start against the Cardinals his Focus was like I want to go Inn a job I want to prove that I can start and help and make plays Bill's general manager Brandon Bean said that's been his Focus Micah and Jordan are gone there are new faces around and don't forget about me I can still do it Hamlin hasn't registered a start since the 2022 season that changed his life he produced a career high 91 tackles in 2022 and two tackles in limited action this past season this year though ham is in line to see plenty of time on the field regardless of the roll or amount of snaps he receives this year Hamlin's grateful to be healthy enough to play football at a high level in what will be his fourth season in Buffalo I've been through so much in my life that I'm just blessed to have the opportunity to still be here Hamlin said I stay grounded in the fact of knowing that you know I'm still here for a reason and just trying to spend as much time as I can trying to align with the purpose of still being here is like everything to me