Broncos' KJ Hamler: Has partially torn pectoral repaired
Rotowire
Hamler recently underwent surgery to repair a partially torn pectoral that he sustained while training on his own, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The report notes that Hamler's recovery timeline is in the 4-to-6-month range, a scenario that gives the wideout a chance to be ready as soon as the start of training camp in late July. Hamler's 2022 season was cut short by a hamstring issue that landed him on IR, and the 2020 second-rounder now will have to move past his latest injury setback in order to compete for a role in 2023 in a Denver wideout corps that also includes fellow returnees Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick (knee). In seven games last season, Hamler was limited to seven catches for 165 yards.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Done for season
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) won't play again during the 2022 season after he was placed on injured reserve last week due to a setback experienced in practice, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Hamler said the setback in question occurred in the Broncos' Nov. 30 practice, when he slipped awkwardly while running on indoor turf. Prior to aggravating the hamstring injury, Hamler had missed the Broncos' previous three games. After having most of his 2021 campaign wiped out by an ACL tear, Hamler managed to play in seven games in 2022, finishing with a 7-165-0 receiving line on 14 targets. Though he won't make it back for Denver's final five games, Hamler is expected to have a healthy and productive offseason as he heads into the last year of his rookie contract in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Shifted to IR after setback
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) was moved to injured reserve Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Hamler could technically return for the team's final two games, but it's more likely given the Broncos' record the speedy receiver is done for the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a Week 8 hamstring injury. The 23-year-old has tallied just 14 targets in seven games this season, although he has recorded three receptions of 40-plus yards despite the limited opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Out indefinitely after setback
Rotowire
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Hamler will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports. "We're still evaluating everything right now," Hackett said, when asked if Hamler will play again this season. "Obviously his care is our No. 1 priority, so we want to be sure we're doing everything to help him get back."
Hamler hasn't played since Week 8 due to the hamstring injury, but he was spotted working out on a side field during practice late last week and looked as though he might have a chance to play this Sunday in Baltimore. However, after his latest setback on the health front, Hamler can now safely be ruled out for Week 13, and likely additional games to follow. Even on the rare occasions in which he has been available over the past two seasons, Hamler has struggled to produce fantasy-friendly numbers. Over seven appearances in 2022, he's cobbled together a 7-165-0 receiving line on 14 targets.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Not practicing
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) won't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
With Hamler and Jerry Jeudy (ankle) both in danger of missing another game, Kendall Hinton and Brandon Johnson could occupy top-three roles at receiver again his Sunday in Baltimore. Targets have been few and far between for Hamler this season even when he's been healthy, which hasn't been often.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Ruled out against Panthers
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) won't play Sunday against the Panthers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Denver will remain shorthanded at wide receiver with both Hamler and Jerry Jeudy (ankle) sitting out this weekend. The former last saw the field Week 8, and with Hamler's hamstring injury still keeping him from practicing, he's far from a sure thing to return to action Week 13 versus Baltimore.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Set to miss practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) won't practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy (ankle) is also sitting out Wednesday, with both players viewed as day-to-day as Sunday's game against the Panthers approaches. Hamler, who last suited up in Week 8, has recorded seven catches on 14 targets for 165 yards through seven appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Labeled day-to-day by HC
Rotowire
Coach Nathaniel Hackett said Hamler (hamstring) is considered day-to-day, and the Broncos are hopeful the wideout will be back this week, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Hamler has missed back-to-back games due to a hamstring injury he suffered during Week 10 prep, but it appears the Broncos believe the third-year wideout could return in Week 12. He hasn't practiced since picking up the injury, so a limited participation Wednesday would be a good sign, though his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Panthers likely won't be known until later in the week.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Out for multiple weeks
Rotowire
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday that Hamler (hamstring) will miss the next "few weeks," Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Hackett's update seemingly rules Hamler out through the end of November. Hamler suffered the injury a week prior in practice and was unable to play in this past Sunday's loss to Tennessee, during which Jerry Jeudy sprained his ankle. The Broncos' healthy wide receivers at the moment are Courtland Sutton, Kendall Hinton, Jalen Virgil and Montrell Washington.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Sitting out Week 10
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) has been ruled out in advance of Sunday's game in Tennessee, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
He'll miss his second game of the season after suffering the non-contact hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice before not participating in sessions Thursday and Friday in any capacity. With Hamler out of the mix, the Broncos will likely turn to Montrell Washington or Kendall Hinton (illness) to handle reps as the No. 3 wideout behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, but neither of the potential replacement options profile as reliable fantasy options in a Denver offense that's averaging 15.1 points per game this season.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Set to miss practice Thursday
Rotowire
Hamler (hamstring) won't practice Thursday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Stevens notes that Hamler suffered a non-contact injury during Wednesday's practice, which clouds his status for Sunday's game against the Titans. If Hamler is unavailable this weekend, it would affect the Broncos' wideout depth more than fantasy managers, given that the third-year player has been limited to seven catches on 14 targets for 165 yards in seven games this season.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Set for limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Hamler will be listed as a limited participant during Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring issue, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
The Broncos were on bye in Week 9, so it's unclear if Hamler's hamstring issue is lingering from his appearance Week 8 against the Jaguars or something he picked up during Wednesday's workout. sustained Wednesday. For the season, Hamler has caught seven passes (on 14 targets) for 165 yards in seven games, numbers that limit the third-year player's fantasy value to deeper formats.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Targeted three times in win
Rotowire
Hamler caught two of three targets for 52 yards and carried the ball once for nine yards in Sunday's 21-17 win over the Jaguars.
Hamler's longest play of the contest was a 47-yard grab from quarterback Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter, ultimately leading to the game-winning score by running back Latavius Murray with just under two minutes left. Outside of that, it was another quiet performance for the 23-year-old wideout. Hamler played 70 percent of the team's offensive snaps, good for his largest snap share of the season. If the speedster can continue to build a connection with Wilson, especially on deep balls, he has a chance to exploit some favorable matchups down the stretch. Hamler and the rest of the offense will have a Week 9 bye to figure that out before a matchup with the Titans in Week 10.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Catches one pass in loss
Rotowire
Hamler caught one of four targets for four yards and carried the ball once for 14 yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Jets.
Hamler had another underwhelming outing for fantasy purposes, as quarterback Brett Rypien struggled to get the passing game going despite attempting 46 passes in the contest. Denver's offense has struggled to sustain long drives and put points on the board this season with Russell Wilson (hamstring), and Sunday was no different with a new signal-caller at the helm. Hamler's four targets were his most of the season, but it's difficult to trust that his production will begin to climb substantially unless the offense starts to find its rhythm.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Catches two passes in loss
Rotowire
Hamler caught two of three targets for 44 yards in Monday's 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers.
Hamler's best moment in the contest came on a 47-yard grab with time winding down in the second quarter that eventually set up a field goal to give the Broncos a 13-10 lead at halftime. The speedy wideout has great potential as a playmaker, but Denver's offensive struggles so far this season have limited his opportunities thus far. Once one of the league's best deep ball throwers, quarterback Russell Wilson (hamstring) has struggled to connect downfield with his receivers consistently. Until the Broncos can sustain success on offense, Hamler should remain off the fantasy radar as the team's No. 3 receiver. The Broncos will host the Jets in Week 7.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Quiet in loss
Rotowire
Hamler caught one of two targets for 10 yards in Thursday's 12-9 overtime loss to the Colts.
Hamler recorded just one catch for the second straight week. Operating as the Broncos' No. 3 receiver, the 23-year-old played 53 percent of the team's offensive snaps behind both Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Denver continues to struggle offensively and has trouble sustaining long drives, leaving Hamler and the rest of the pass catchers fewer opportunities to make plays. For this reason, the speedy wideout is a risky bet for reliable fantasy production each week until the Broncos can turn around their offensive woes. Hamler will be difficult to trust when the Broncos visit the Chargers in Week 6.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Catches one pass in loss
Rotowire
Hamler caught his only target for 55 yards in Sunday's 32-23 loss to the Raiders.
Hamler's only catch came with just under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter as the Broncos tried to mount a comeback against the Raiders. The 55-yard completion to the wideout was Russell Wilson's longest of the day and set up the quarterback's three-yard rushing touchdown on the very next play to make it a one-score game. Hamler demonstrated his impressive speed on the play, but his athletic ability wasn't enough to earn him more than four snaps in the game. The 23-year-old played well behind fellow receivers Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Kendall Hinton. Hamler's lack of involvement in Denver's offense is a concerning trend for anyone hoping the speedster would carve out a significant role in the passing game. As the offense continues to grow together, it's possible Hamler could become more involved in the Broncos' offense. With that said, the veteran will be difficult to trust for fantasy purposes when the Broncos host the Colts in Week 5.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Not targeted in win
Rotowire
Hamler failed to see a target in Sunday's 11-10 win over the 49ers.
Hamler was a complete nonfactor on a day when the Broncos could've used a major offensive spark. The 23-year-old receiver has yet to record a catch in either of the two games he's appeared in. After playing 59 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps in Week 1 and sitting out in Week 2 for maintenance reasons with both knee and hip injuries, Hamler was on the field for just 26 percent of snaps in Week 3. Like most of Denver's skill position players, the third-year wideout has fallen victim to an offense that is struggling to find its rhythm. If and when that is fixed, Hamler will look to take advantage of his opportunities as a speedy target for one of the league's best deep ball throwers in Russell Wilson. Nonetheless, his lack of involvement in the passing game to this point makes him nothing more than a dart throw when the Broncos visit the Raiders in Week 4.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Back in action Sunday
Rotowire
Hamler (knee/hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
As is fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy (ribs/shoulder), so it remains to be seen what kind of workload Hamler might see in his return to the mix after being sidelined Week 2 for maintenance purposes. For now, the 2020 second-rounder is behind Courtland Sutton and Jeudy on the Broncos' wideout depth chart, but if Hamler is able to gain chemistry with new franchise signal-caller Russell Wilson as the season progresses, his ability to stretch the field could prove to be a useful asset in Denver's passing game.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' KJ Hamler: Questionable for SNF
Rotowire
Hamler (knee/hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
If Hamler plays, he could be in for an expanded role, as fellow wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (ribs) and Tyrie Cleveland (hamstring) also are questionable. Relying on Hamler will be risky in fantasy, though, as alternatives will be limited should he sit out because the Broncos don't play until Sunday night.
