Damar Hamlin is responsive and holding family members' hands three days after cardiac arrest

NFL star Damar Hamlin is showing further ‘remarkable improvement’ three days after the player went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.

The Buffalo Bills player collapsed after a tackle involving Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

The player got up off the ground before dramatically crashing down as CPR was administered on the field before he was stretchered off and taken to hospital.

Since then he has shown promising signs of recovery despite still remaining in critical condition.

The Bills release an update on his condition, saying: “While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact.

"His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress."

Hamlin’s agent, Ronald Butler, told The Associated Press, via ABC, that the player was awake and had been able to hold family members’ hands while they sat by his bedside.

The 24-year-old had spent the last two days sedated and in critical condition.

Dr Timothy Pritts confirmed in a conference call that Hamlin had shown signs of neurological improvement on Wednesday (January 4) night.

He was able to communicate through writing as he still had a breathing tube through his throat.

Pritts said: “Last night he was able to emerge and follow commands and even asked who had won the game.”

The response to his question was perhaps the best he could have asked for.

Pritts replied: “The answer is yes, Damar, you won the game of life.”

The Bills prepare to play a home game against the New England Patriots with the team still dealing with the shock horror of the previous game.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick commented on Hamlin’s health update.

"Life is bigger than this game," he said.

"And I think this is one of those humbling moments for all of us."

Hamlin has been showing increasing signs of improvement.

The team noted yesterday (January 5) that while he remained in ICU he was showing positive signs.

They tweeted: “Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight.

“He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and treat him.”