Denver Broncos Wide Receiver KJ Hamler Diagnosed with Heart Issue
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos’ wide receiver depth chart suffered a significant blow on Monday. KJ Hamler, a key player in the Broncos’ receiving corps, announced on his Instagram account that he has been diagnosed with pericarditis, a mild heart irritation. While he will miss some time, Hamler expressed his intention to return to the field this season after undergoing treatment with medication.
In response to the diagnosis, the Broncos waived Hamler with a non-football illness designation. This move allows him to focus on receiving the necessary treatment and potentially rejoin the team later if he is cleared to play.
This news comes shortly after Tim Patrick, who missed the 2022 season due to a torn ACL, suffered what is believed to be a season-ending torn Achilles tendon during Monday’s practice. The Broncos’ wide receiver corps has been plagued by injuries in recent years, with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Hamler, and Patrick playing only two games together over the past three seasons.
Hamler’s injury history includes missing most of the 2021 season due to a torn ACL and a hip injury. He also experienced chest pains during workouts before the start of training camp and had previously suffered a torn chest muscle.
Head coach Sean Payton has not provided specific details about Hamler’s condition or why he has been absent from practice. However, Hamler’s absence from the team’s non-football injury list and his lack of participation in practices indicate that his health concerns are significant.
Despite these setbacks, the Broncos have made efforts to bolster their wide receiver group. They signed former Saints wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey in the offseason and used a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Marvin Mims Jr. Mims, who had been dealing with hamstring pain, finally participated in practice on Monday.
The loss of Tim Patrick, who had been working extensively with the starters, will have a significant impact on the team’s rotation in the short term. However, Payton remains optimistic about the team’s depth at the wide receiver position and expects Mims to step up and contribute more as he continues to recover from his hamstring issue.
The Broncos’ wide receiver injuries have been a recurring theme in recent seasons, and the team hopes that Hamler’s treatment will be successful, allowing him to return to the field and contribute to the offense. In the meantime, the team will rely on the remaining healthy receivers to fill the void and continue their preparations for the upcoming season.
As the Broncos navigate through these challenges, they remain focused on building a resilient and competitive team. The wide receiver position will undoubtedly be closely monitored as the season progresses, and fans eagerly await the return of Hamler and the opportunity to see the team’s top receivers finally play together.
In conclusion, KJ Hamler’s diagnosis of pericarditis has dealt a blow to the Denver Broncos’ wide receiver depth chart. The team has waived him with a non-football illness designation to allow him to undergo treatment and potentially return later if cleared. With Tim Patrick also suffering a season-ending injury, the Broncos’ wide receiver corps faces significant challenges. However, the team remains optimistic about their depth and is hopeful for Hamler’s recovery. As the season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the return of a fully healthy receiving corps and the potential they bring to the team’s offense.