Damien Harris injured Buffalo Bills New York Giants 10 15 23.Photo:Timothy T Ludwig/Getty
Timothy T Ludwig/Getty
Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants took a scary turn in the second quarter when Bills running back Damien Harris suffered an injury to his neck.
Concerned fans looked on as the Bills medical staff quickly attended to the running back when he stayed down on the field after the hit. After a few minutes, Harris was placed onto a stretcher and taken away from the field via ambulance.
Before the ambulance left the field, Harris was able to motion a thumbs-up signal to the crowd.
Scans at the hospital later showed that the player has full movement in his body, according toThe Associated Press. “It’s my understanding he has full movement,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said after the game on Sunday.
“Fortunate that he is seemingly heading in a good direction, with the reports we are getting. So I am very thankful to God for that," McDermott added, per the AP.
Harris' injury reminded Bills players and fans of the frightening scene on Jan. 2, when Buffalo safetyDamar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrestduring their matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Damien Harris injured Buffalo Bills New York Giants 10 15 23.Bryan M. Bennett/Getty
Bryan M. Bennett/Getty
“Especially after last year, anytime the ambulance has to come on the field, it brings PTSD,” Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins said after Sunday’s game, according toThe Athletic.
Dawkins, 29, said, “It’s hard. It’s really hard, man. I hate to say it like this, but before every game starts in this league, you have to hug your loved ones just a little bit closer. You really never know.”
According toESPN, Dawkins added, “It’s really an emotional thing, and people be trying to act like we’re unhuman like … that stuff is real,” adding that Harris is like a “brother” to his teammates.
“He’s our friend, and we know him personally. To see him laying down … he just found out two days ago that he was having a boy. They said that it was a neck injury. Imagine if he can’t hold his son off of one play? That’s scary, man. It’s scary. And I take it for what it is, and I take it with respect of God, but like any moment, it could be it,” Dawkins continued, per the outlet.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen spoke about Harris' injury on Sunday, telling ESPN, “You never want to see that. That’s the ugly part of the game.”
Allen, 27, added, “He’s been so great, Damien, coming here, and I know he’s only been here for a few months, obviously this training camp, but the juice that he brings and the tough-nose running that he brings to this offense, you can’t really replace it, you know? And I’m hoping he’s all right … praying for him, him and his family,” per ESPN.
After Hamlin, 25, was admitted to the hospital following the Jan. 2 cardiac arrest, it was reported that several of his teammatesstayed back in Cincinnati after the incidentto pay a visit to the safety in the hospital. According to ESPN reporterColey Harvey, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, along with a few other players and head coach Zac Taylor, visited Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after the game.
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During theNFL Todaypregame show, several fans were shown holding signs in support of Hamlin. The opening minutes of the show were dedicated solely to Hamlin’s recovery.
“We don’t play for the name on the back [of our jersey], we play for the number on the front,” Bills' quarterback Josh Allen told the team before they took the field. Hamlin tweeted at his “brothers” on game day while urging the public to"tell someone you love them today."
source: people.com
