The Buffalo Bills signed safety Jared Mayden to fill the void left by Damar Hamlin after his cardiac arrest in Monday’s game against the Bengals
The Buffalo Bills announced they signed safety Jared Mayden from the New York Jets practice squad on Thursday after releasing veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
Buffalo’s decision to add another safety was in response to the cardiac arrest that safety Damar Hamlin suffered during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mayden also had stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles with whom he played in four games in 2021, recording six tackles.
The Buffalo Bills announced that they have signed safety Jared Mayden from the Jets
Mayden will fill in at depth safety following Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest in Monday’s game
He has appeared in six games since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 after playing his college football at the University of Alabama.
The four-star recruit from Dallas, Texas played primarily in a reserve role at Alabama and didn’t start until his senior season when he recorded 59 tackles and three pass breakups and led the team with four interceptions.
He received an invitation to the Senior Bowl but did not receive an invite to the NFL combine, however scouts still expect Mayden to be drafted.
Despite the cancellation of the 2020 preseason, he impressed in San Francisco’s training camp to be signed to the 49ers practice squad.
Mayden will add depth at the safety position. The latest update on Hamlin, meanwhile, is that his health is moving in the right direction.
Hamlin (No 3) stood up briefly after tackling Higgins before collapsing in shocking scenes as the Buffalo Bills played the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bills player collapsed moments later, falling backwards and motionless on the floor
Bills players were visibly stunned as their teammate received life-saving treatment on the field
Hamlin’s cardiac arrest occurred midway through the first quarter when he tackled Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and then fell to the ground motionless, seconds after standing up.
He was surrounded by a wall of players from both teams as medics tended to him for 16 minutes before he was taken to hospital by ambulance.
ESPN TV’s coverage initially went to four commercial breaks before returning its coverage to the studio.
While being treated, medics performed CPR and had to restore Hamlin’s heart rhythm but he was still unable to breathe under his own power.
After reports that the game would resume after a five-minute warm-up period, the two coaches directed their teams to the locker room before the game was suspended until further notice.
Objects are placed by football fans during a vigil outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Buffalo Bills fans and community members gather for a candlelight vigil for the safety of Buffalo Bills Hamlin in Orchard Park, New York
After the game, fans from both teams traveled from Paycor Stadium where the game was played to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where Hamlin was taken.
Both sets of fans gathered in prayer and expressed good wishes for Hamlin’s recovery.
Bills fans also gathered near Bills Stadium in Orchard Park to hold a prayer vigil for Hamlin and put up numerous candles, posters and more to congratulate him.
