The Bills placed on Hamlin (pectoral) on injured reserve Saturday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin will be forced to miss at least four games, and it's currently unclear when he suffered the injury. The 27-year-old has seen limited action across his first five outings of the season, recording just one solo tackle while playing mainly on special teams.

The Bills will sign Hamlin to a one-year contract, Alec White of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After starting 14 games for Buffalo in 2024 and totaling 89 tackles (62 solo) and two interceptions, Hamlin will be back for at least one more season. He currently projects to start in 2025, but the Bills could add talent at safety either later on in free agency or in the draft in April.

Hamlin recorded 89 tackles (62 solo), two interceptions and a fumble recovery over 14 regular-season games in 2024.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin played just five games during the 2023 season after suffering cardiac arrest on the field late in the Bills' 2022 campaign, but he led the team's safeties in snaps in 2024. He was sidelined for three games during the year, but his 835 defensive snaps were a career high, and only Dorian Williams (117) and Terrel Bernard (104) racked up more total tackles for the Bills. Hamlin has become a fan favorite around Highmark Stadium, but he'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Monday that Hamlin will return to his starting safety spot in Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Broncos, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin returned from a ribs injury in the Bills' Week 18 loss to the Patriots, playing 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps and recording six total tackles. There were questions about whether the 26-year-old would be ready for the playoffs after missing three games leading up to Week 18, but McDermott's comments Monday clarified that Hamlin is ready. Expect Hamlin to start alongside Taylor Rapp as part of Buffalo's top safety duo Sunday.

Hamlin (ribs) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old safety from Pittsburgh has missed Buffalo's last three games due to back and ribs injuries, but it now appears that he'll return for the team's regular-season finale Sunday. Although the Bills have already clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed and are resting some of their starters, head coach Sean McDermott clarified that Hamlin will play "some" of the Week 18 contest, likely sitting out after receiving extra in-game reps, per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com.

Hamlin (ribs) was a limited participant at the Bills' walkthrough practice Wednesday, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin has missed Buffalo's last three contests due to back and ribs injuries, but it now appears he's nearing a return to action. If he can manage a full practice Thursday or Friday, he could avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

Hamlin (ribs) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin was a limited participant in practice all week, but he will be sidelined for a third straight game due to a rib injury he suffered in the lead-up to the Bills' Week 15 game against the Lions. With Lewis Cine (coach's decision) also inactive for Sunday's AFC East clash, Cole Bishop will serve as the Bills' starting free safety alongside strong safety Taylor Rapp due to Hamlin's injury.

Hamlin (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin got in a round of limited practices this week and appears to be on track to return after a two-game absence due to back and ribs issues. He has started all 13 games he's appeared in this season, logging 83 tackles (58 solo) and five pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions.

Hamlin (ribs) will not play in Sunday's tilt against the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin's absence will mark his second straight. He sat out last week due to a back injury, but he will now sit out with a rib issue. When healthy, the fourth-year safety has established himself as a regular starter on the defense. In his absence, and with Taylor Rapp (neck) also sidelined, Kareem Jackson and Cole Bishop are the only healthy safeties going into the game, though the Bills have players that can serve in a hybrid role if needed.

Hamlin (ribs) will be limited in Friday's practice and is questionable for this weekend's matchup against the Patriots, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin missed out on last week's win over Detroit with a back injury, but he's now questionable for Sunday's outing against New England with a ribs injury. The fourth-year safety has missed only one game this campaign, establishing himself as a regular starter for Buffalo's defense. He's now logged 83 tackles (58 solo), two interceptions and one fumble recovery across 13 games this season.