In a significant blow to the Denver Broncos’ depth chart at wide receiver, KJ Hamler recently revealed on his Instagram account that he has been diagnosed with pericarditis, a mild heart irritation. As a result, he will miss some time but remains optimistic about returning to the field later this season after undergoing treatment with medication. In light of this news, the Broncos waived Hamler with a non-football illness designation, allowing him to seek the necessary treatment and potentially return to the team once cleared.
Injury Woes Continue for the Broncos
This announcement comes as another setback for the Broncos, as Tim Patrick, who missed the entire 2022 season due to a torn ACL, suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in his left leg during Monday’s practice. The team has been plagued by injuries at the wide receiver position, with their top four receivers – Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Hamler, and Patrick – managing to play just two games together in the past three seasons. Sutton tore his ACL in 2020, Hamler dealt with both an ACL tear and a hip injury in 2021, and Patrick suffered his torn ACL last year.
Hamler’s History of Injuries
Hamler’s health concerns date back to the previous season when he played in only seven games due to a hamstring injury that eventually landed him on injured reserve. In addition, he missed most of the 2021 season due to his torn ACL and a hip injury. Hamler disclosed in his Instagram post that he had experienced chest pains during workouts prior to the start of training camp. He had also suffered a torn chest muscle earlier in the offseason. Consequently, he began training camp on the non-football injury list and has not participated in any practices since.
The Impact on the Broncos’ Roster
With Hamler and Patrick both sidelined, the Broncos’ wide receiver rotations will undoubtedly be affected in the short term. Fortunately, the team made some offseason moves to bolster their receiving corps, signing former Saints receivers Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey in free agency. Furthermore, they invested a second-round pick in April’s draft on wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., who recently joined practice after dealing with some hamstring discomfort. Although Patrick had been heavily involved with the starters, the Broncos remain confident in their depth and believe that Mims will have an increasing role in the coming weeks.
Head Coach Sean Payton has remained tight-lipped about Hamler’s condition and the reason for his absence from practice. However, Hamler himself expressed his resilience and determination to overcome his health challenges, stating, “I have been through hell and back, but it’s hard to reach paradise if you don’t go through hell first.” This unwavering mindset in the face of adversity serves as a source of inspiration not only for Hamler but also for his teammates and fans.
Despite the recent blows to their receiving corps, the Broncos remain hopeful that Hamler and Patrick will recover fully and contribute on the field once again. In the meantime, the team will continue to adjust their game plan and rely on their depth to navigate these challenging circumstances. With the start of the regular season approaching, the Broncos and their fans eagerly anticipate the return of their talented receivers, ready to overcome any obstacles that come their way.
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