Damar Hamlin expected make 2023 Bills Debut vs. Dolphins on Sunday

Damar Hamlin looks set to play his first snaps of the 2023 NFL season after fellow safety Jordan Poyer was ruled out Friday.

This means Hamlin - who has been a healthy scratch through three weeks - is likely to be activated.

Ian Rapoport reported as much Friday late afternoon, citing sources within the Bills.

Poyer had not practiced this week due to a knee injury. Hamlin has not played - other than preseason - since suffering a cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati while trying to make a tackle vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2.

Hamlin started 15 games last season for Buffalo. The third-year pro out of Pittsburgh was cleared to resume football activities in April before making the Bills’ 53-man roster in August. 

With Poyer’s absence, it is likely that former Ram Taylor Rapp takes the starting position, with Hamlin as the backup. 

The 2-1 Bills host the 3-0 Miami Dolphins Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in what looms as one of the most exciting games of Week 4, Hamlin aside.

Miami and Buffalo split the regular season series last year with each club winning at home before a rematch in last year's Wild Card round, which the Bills won 34-31.

Hamlin will face the Dolphins' vaunted passing attack, which will include Jaylen Waddle who was absent from the team's 70-20 blowout win vs. Denver, but has since cleared concussion protocol.

Leading MVP candidate Tua Tagovailoa threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns, completing 88% of his throws.