Damar Hamlin ‘will NOT make his long-awaited return to the NFL tonight in New York… as the Buffalo Bills decide to play it safe eight months after he suffered cardiac arrest on the field’

Damar Hamlin will have to wait for his much-anticipated return to the NFL, with the safety reportedly set to sit out the Bills’ season-opener against the Jets tonight.

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation on the field during a ‘Monday Night Football’ game against the Bengals in January.

Tonight’s trip to MetLife Stadium was expected to cap an inspirational comeback but, according to ESPN, the 25-year-old is not expected to be active against the Jets.

Hamlin is not said to have suffered any setback in his recovery but the decision to leave him out is down to the the Bills preferring to play it safe.

Monday’s clash with the Jets promises to be an emotionally-charged night in New York, with Aaron Rodgers making his debut for the Jets on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.