In their first public comments since Damar Hamlin's on-field collapse Monday night in Cincinnati, Bills quarterback Josh Allen and head coach Sean McDermott insisted the team will be ready to play Sunday against the Patriots.
"I do," Allen said when asked whether the Bills would be ready to take the field as scheduled. "I do as well," McDermott added
MORE: Support for Damar Hamlin rooted in his generosity, caring: 'He's Pittsburgh'
Allen and McDermott acknowledged that the past few days have been extremely emotional, but they said that Hamlin wants them to continue playing.
"You can't not honor his request to go out there," Allen said, noting that Hamlin's father told the team that his son wants them to play.
"He didn't tell us, he demanded us," Allen said of Hamlin's father.
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Allen and McDermott repeatedly referenced Thursday's positive news about Hamlin's condition as a turning point for the team, with McDermott calling it a "huge lift." Allen said that it felt good to get back out on the practice field.
The Bills announced Thursday morning that Hamlin is responsive and appears to be neurologically intact. Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center later announced that Hamlin is able to communicate via writing and asked who won the game. The contest was postponed after Hamlin was taken by ambulance to the hospital. (UPDATE: The league announced Thursday night that the game would not be resumed and had been canceled.)
MORE: Bills' Damar Hamlin asked 'Who won the game?' after waking in hospital
As to what the atmosphere will be on Sunday at Highmark Stadium, McDermott said he expects it "to be unlike anything I've seen before."
It's possible that the game won't have major playoff implications for the Bills, it's fair to say that McDermott's team would like nothing more than to get a win for Hamlin. The Patriots, meanwhile, will be playing for a playoff berth and a potential rematch with the Bills in the wild-card round.
