Hamlin (pectoral) wasn't activated from injured reserve Friday, ruling him out for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin was designated for return from injured reserve nine days ago and logged a trio of full practices this week. However, it wasn't enough for the Bills to activate him ahead of Saturday's playoff contest. With Jordan Poyer (hamstring) ruled out against Denver, the Bills will be down to Cole Bishop, Sam Franklin, Jordan Hancock, Cam Lewis and Darnell Savage as options at safety.

Hamlin (pectoral) will practice in full Thursday and is listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Broncos, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin has now logged three consecutive full practice sessions, suggesting he could return for Saturday's playoff matchup. However, the 27-year-old must still be activated from injured reserve in order to suit up for the divisional round. If Hamlin returns from his 13-game absence Saturday, he'll likely operate as one of the Bills' backup safeties while contributing on special teams.

Hamlin (pectoral) was a full participant during Tuesday's walkthrough practice.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin progressed enough in his recovery from a pectoral injury to return to practice this past Wednesday. He was unable to play in Sunday's wild-card round win against the Jaguars, but if he can continue to log full practices, he would have a chance at being activated from injured reserve ahead of Saturday's playoff game against the Broncos. If Hamlin is available, then he would likely contribute on special teams while serving in a depth role in the secondary.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday that Hamlin (pectoral) will not come off IR in time for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against Jacksonville, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin had his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday and has since logged back-to-back limited sessions, but Buffalo will need to advance beyond the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs for the veteran safety to have a chance to retake the field. If Hamlin does return to action later in the postseason, he will stand to handle a depth role in the Bills' secondary.

The Bills designated Hamlin (pectoral) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Maddy Glab of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamlin was placed on IR in early October after seeing just 12 defensive snaps in the first five weeks of the season. The reserve safety's 21-day practice window has now opened, meaning he could return any week during a potential deep playoff run for the Bills.

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.