The decision to send both teams back into the locker room until further notice came after Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter. The play came on a second-and-3 play from the Cincinnati 39-yard line. Bengals receiver Tee Higgins caught a pass from Joe Burrow for 13 yards and appeared to have his hemet hit Hamlin in the chest.
Hamlin initially was able to get on his feet, but then fell to the ground and required medical attention. The 24-year-old was reportedly given CPR on the field before ultimately being driven away in an ambulance.
If/when this game resumes on Monday night, it was billed as a heavyweight matchup between two AFC contenders with the No. 1 seed hanging in the balance. Cincinnati was able to go on a 75-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession, while Buffalo managed a field goal before the game ultimately was paused following the Hamlin injury.
