(NewsNation) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and appeared to be getting CPR before being taken off the field in an ambulance during a game against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

The Monday night matchup between the Bills and Bengals was suspended following the serious injury to Hamlin, which occurred at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter with the Bengals leading 7-3. 

Hamlin was injured when he put a hard hit on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin initially rose from the field after the play, only to collapse a moment later.

Hamlin reportedly had a pulse, but he was not breathing on his own. Medical personnel administered CPR. Both teams left the field, and the game was suspended. Hamlin was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center emergency room; his mother reportedly rode in the ambulance with him.

A source told NewsNation that Hamlin was in critical condition. The game was ultimately postponed. Damar’s marketing representative Jordon Rooney said his vitals are back to normal and that the hospital put him to sleep to put a breathing tube down his throat.

On late Monday night, the NFL released a statement on Hamlin. “Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills,” it said. “We will provide more information as it becomes available.”

Stefon Diggs, one of Hamlin’s teammates, was spotted entering the hospital where Damar is being treated. A group of Bengals and Bills fans reportedly embraced while praying outside the hospital.

The National Football League Players Association also released a statement, which read, “The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”

The 6-foot Hamlin, who played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft (the 212th pick overall). After serving as a reserve player last year, this season Hamlin rose to the starting lineup following an injury to Micah Hyde in Week 2.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.