The NFL has obviously had to deal with a pretty unprecedented situation this week after the collapse of Bills safety Damar Hamlin on the field.
Things are pretty scrambled for the NFL overall right now, so one can only imagine how the two teams along with their players and coaching staffs were thinking and what they’d planned on doing.
There has been some debate throughout the week on whether or not there was serious consideration from the league on continuing the game in that moment.
ESPN reported that the NFL considered giving players a 5-minute warmup session before they got back to playing, but the league has pushed back against that.
After Bengals coach Zac Taylor spoke with reporters for the first time since Monday night’s game, it’s pretty clear neither team ever intended on playing another down after what happened.
Taylor told reporters that Bills head coach Sean McDermott told him he needed to be at the hospital with Hamlin rather than coaching a game, per ESPN‘s Ben Baby.
Zac Taylor said he decided to walk over to that sideline to talk with Bills coach Sean McDermott and the officials.
Said McDermott's message was that he needed to be at the hospital and didn't need to be coaching a game.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 4, 2023
It doesn’t sound like McDermott had any intention whatsoever of returning to that game. Obviously, no one could blame him for that. And, ultimately, it was the right decision. Everyone’s focus is on Hamlin’s health — everything else comes secondary.
That’s not all Taylor had to say about the situation. He continued to give an update on how his team was doing and what they’ll be doing moving forward for Sunday.
He talked about Sean McDermott's leadership in the situation
Taylor had nothing but kind things to say about McDermott. It’s good to hear where everyone’s priorities were that night.
Zac Taylor praises Sean McDermott's focus and leadership on Monday night.
(via @Bengals) pic.twitter.com/4CLDysV5is
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 4, 2023
“That, to me, provides all the clarity. Unprecedented is the word that gets thrown out a lot with this situation, because that’s what it is. But in that moment he really showed who he was and all his focus was on Damar and being there for him and being there for his family at the hospital. And, at that point, I think everything trended in the direction it needed to trend.”
Good on McDermott.
Taylor says Tee Higgins is handling things well
Tee Higgins has been put in the spotlight over the last couple of days with some blaming him for Hamlin’s circumstance. Obviously, it’s not Higgins’ fault. But some have continued to blame him and that can certainly wear a person down.
But Taylor said Higgins has handled things well and that he’s also heard good things about Hamlin.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor: "Tee Higgins has handled it well. The communication with Tee is that he (Damar Hamlin) is OK.pic.twitter.com/VaUI07LW7Y
— NFL Tracker (@tracknfl) January 4, 2023
This is all positive news.
The Bengals are also planning on playing Sunday
If there was any thought to the Bengals potentially not playing on Sunday, that can be canned right now.
Taylor said the team is doing their best to move forward for Sunday while also focusing on supporting Hamlin’s recovery.
Zac Taylor on what he’s telling the team: You do have to move forward as a team because there is a game Sunday, but at the same time, you don’t have to move past the situation that matters and supporting Damar Hamlin’s recovery.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 4, 2023
That has to be a difficult balance.
