Bills’ Hamlin could return this weekend

Starting safety Poyer to miss divisional game against Miami

Buffalo Bills starting safety Jordan Poyer was ruled out from playing against the Miami Dolphins this weekend, perhaps opening the door for Damar Hamlin to appear in his first regular-season game since going into cardiac arrest during a game in January.

Poyer hasn’t practised this week due to a knee injury. It’s unclear when he was hurt, and Bills coach Sean McDermott hasn’t revealed the extent of the injury except for listing the seven-year starter as day to day on Thursday.

Poyer’s absence will likely lead to primary backup Taylor Rapp filling the starting spot alongside Micah Hyde. The injury could also lead to Hamlin making his season debut after being a healthy inactive player through the first three games.

Appearing in a regular-season game would mark the final step in Hamlin’s bid to resume his playing career. The 25-year-old went into cardiac arrest and needing to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.

Since being cleared to resume playing in April, the backup safety has showed no signs of tentativeness in passing every on-field test he has faced in making the Bills’ 53-player roster last month. The third-year player combined for nine tackles in appearing in all three of Buffalo’s pre-season games in August.

Hamlin was hurt while making what appeared to be a routine tackle, when his heart stopped from a direct blow at a specific point in the heartbeat that can cause cardiac arrest. Doctors have assured Hamlin he could resume playing without setbacks or complications.

Hamlin was starting in place of Hyde, who was sidelined by a season-ending neck injury sustained in Week 2.

Sunday’s game is regarded as an early season showdown between AFC East rivals Miami (3-0) and Buffalo (2-1).

The Bills secondary will be tested by a Dolphins offence coming off a 70-20 win over Denver last week. It features the receiving tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who has been cleared to play after missing one game in the NFL’s concussion protocol.