KJ

Hamler

Hamler, who was a second-round pick of the Broncos back in 2020, will now look to fit in with yet another team. The oft-injured receiver spent last season on the Colts ' practice squad and joined the Bills on a reserve/future contract at the end of the season. Even in a new-look Bills receiver room, Hamler was unable to crack the 53-man roster. He caught 5-of-6 targets for 29 yards this preseason, but could get other looks now that he’s available.

Although the Bills’ season is still going, Hamler is joining the 90-man offseason roster. The 2020 second-round bust spent the majority of 2023 on the Colts’ practice squad. Hamler has speed but the kind of injury history that ruins a career. Turning 25 in July, this could be his last shot to crack a 53-man roster.

Hamler is working his way back after being waived with a non-football illness designation by the Broncos prior to the season. The Colts hosted him for a visit earlier in September and now Hamler signs with their practice squad.

Wilson noted that the former Broncos wide receiver visited the Colts on Tuesday. Hamler was waived with a non-football illness designation by Denver over the summer and it now looks like he is ready to return. The Colts currently have four receivers on the active roster, so Hamler would have a role if signed, though he would be eased into action.

As Garafolo points out, “the transaction as procedural,” and the Broncos hope to bring Hamler back. Hamler took to social media earlier and announced he was dealing with minor chest pains and found out he was dealing with a “mild heart irritation, called pericarditis.” Hamler has battled a number of setbacks since the Broncos first drafted him in 2020 and was once a highly-touted second-round pick. We hope he’s able to return to the field soon, and expect him to catch on with a team once healthy.

The move is merely a formality after Hamler underwent major muscular surgery on his pectoral in March. Hamler is coming up on the front side of his expected recovery window, meaning he could become a candidate for the PUP list should he experience any setbacks in his recovery.

This will hurt Hamler’s chances of breaking camp with a real role as the Broncos undergo massive changes under Sean Payton. Hamler is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has played just 10 games since 2020. It’s hard to sugarcoat this, even if he does make it back on the early end of that projected timetable. It also might make it harder for the Broncos to deal a receiver.

Hamler was placed on IR in Week 13 and eligible to return in Week 17. With Denver playing out a lost season, the Broncos will shut Hamler down for the final two games. Injuries limited Hamler, who returned from ACL surgery, to seven games this year. Hamler should be 100 percent for the start of Denver’s offseason.

Hamler reportedly suffered a setback during his rehab from a hamstring injury, who has already missed the previous three games and will now miss an additional four contest on the league’s injured reserve. That leaves his earliest return date as Week 17 against the Chiefs.

This was expected after Hamler had a setback in practice this week. With only six weeks remaining, Hamler is at risk of getting shut down. Injuries have limited Hamler to just seven games this year.