Bengals-Bills game postponed after Damar Hamlin taken to hospital in critical condition

With just under six minutes to play in the first quarter, Hamlin was involved in a tackle where he was hit in the chest. After standing up, he immediately collapsed on the field. 

Bills players immediately signaled for medical assistance from the sidelines. 

According to the Associated Press he was administered CPR on the field before being taken to a local hospital. 

The Bills issued this statement early this morning:

"Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in the Buffalo Bills' game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition."

The ESPN broadcast initially reported that the teams were going to be given a five-minute warmup period before resuming the game.

At that point, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Bills head coach Sean McDermott met on the field. Them the teams returned to their locker rooms. 

The game was officially postponed nearly an hour later. 

"What was most important was that it wasn't about proceeding with the game," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said during a conference call, per ESPN.com. "Frankly, that aspect never crossed my mind or their mind internally. We asked that [referee] Shawn [Smith] communicate with both Taylor and Coach McDermott getting the players together. Frankly, it was just about getting a pulse of where they were at that particular time."

There is no timetable on when the game will be resumed. 

"Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available,'' the NFL said in a statement.