Safety Damar Hamlin recorded three tackles in his first game since going into cardiac arrest earlier this year, helping the Buffalo Bills to a 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in a preseason game in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Hamlin entered Saturday’s game on the second defensive series for the Bills. It was a moment the Bills and a nationally televised audience thought might never happen as they watched Hamlin go down, and then be revived by medical staff on the field on Jan. 2 in Cincinnati.
One of Hamlin’s highlights on Saturday came at 7:42 in the second quarter when he stopped rookie running back Evan Hull on a fourth-and-1 play at the Buffalo 40 for no gain to force a turnover on downs.
Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, completed 7 of 12 passes for 67 yards with an interception for the Colts. Gardner Minshew connected on all six of his pass attempts for 72 yards.
Matt Barkley tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Shavers for the Bills (1-0), who played without star quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Jets 27, Panthers 0
New York surrendered just 165 yards of total offense to cruise past host Carolina in Charlotte, N.C.
Jimmy Moreland recorded an interception and New York’s defense sacked Matt Corral four times and Bryce Young once to help the Jets get their first win of the preseason. Carolina made zero trips to the red zone.
New York quarterback Zach Wilson completed 14 of 20 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, while backup Tim Boyle added 84 yards passing and two scores on 9-of-10 passing. Israel Abanikanda led the Jets’ rushing attack with 56 yards on 12 carries.
Jaguars 28, Cowboys 23
Third-string rookie quarterback Nathan Rourke passed for a touchdown and ran for another in the fourth quarter to rally Jacksonville past host Dallas.
Rourke threw for 153 yards on 9-of-17 passing. Trevor Lawrence started and played three series for the Jaguars, finishing 5-for-6 for 36 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.
Will Grier was 22-of-31 passing for 199 yards and two touchdowns against an interception for the Cowboys. Vaughn led the Cowboys with 50 yards rushing.
Bears 23, Titans 17
DJ Moore and Khalil Herbert each delivered long catch-and-run touchdowns on first-quarter passes from Justin Fields and host Chicago went on to defeat Tennessee.
Fields was 3-of-3 passing for 129 yards in limited action, while running back Roschon Johnson rushed 12 times for 44 yards. The Bears’ defense held the Titans scoreless in the second half, while Cairo Santos kicked three field goals as Chicago overcame a 17-14 halftime deficit.
Malik Willis was 16-of-25 passing for 189 yards and an interception for the Titans. Tennessee had four turnovers, two of them by Willis, who also lost a fumble. Julius Chestnut had 46 yards rushing on seven carries for the Titans.
–Field Level Media