Broncos WR Tim Patrick tears Achilles, KJ Hamler waived

Denver Broncos wide receivers Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler suffered injuries, with Patrick tearing his Achilles tendon and Hamler experiencing heart irritation.

The Denver Broncos find themselves in a precarious situation with their wide receiver corps. In a matter of hours on Monday, both Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler encountered significant setbacks. Patrick was carted off the field after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon, while Hamler was waived due to "mild heart irritation."

Broncos head coach Sean Payton expressed his concern, acknowledging the difficulty of witnessing such injuries. He described seeing Patrick reach for his lower left leg immediately after the incident. This injury comes after Patrick missed the entire previous season due to a torn ACL in his right knee during training camp.

Hamler, on the other hand, revealed on social media that he had been experiencing discomfort in his chest before the start of camp. After undergoing medical evaluation, he was diagnosed with pericarditis, a condition characterized by mild heart irritation. Hamler reassured fans that he has a treatment plan in place and will return to the field as soon as possible.

The unfortunate incident involving Patrick occurred during 7-on-7 drills. As he attempted to sprint forward, he suddenly fell to the ground, clutching his lower left leg. Trainers immediately attended to him, and Patrick's frustration was evident as he threw his helmet in anger. His absence during last year's training camp was deeply felt by the team, with quarterback Russell Wilson noting a noticeable shift in team chemistry without Patrick's leadership and personality.

Patrick, who joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2018, has been a valuable asset to the team. In his 55 games with the Broncos, he has recorded 143 catches for 2,009 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the team in touchdown receptions in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Patrick was listed as a projected starter on Denver's depth chart for the upcoming season.

Similarly, Hamler has faced his fair share of injury setbacks. He played in only seven games last season and has a career total of 42 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns in 23 games. Despite these challenges, Hamler remains resilient and determined to overcome adversity. He expressed disappointment at the timing of his injury, as he was prepared for a breakout year. However, he remains optimistic and believes that going through difficult times is necessary to achieve success.

It is worth noting that several notable players were selected shortly after Hamler in the 2020 NFL Draft. These include Darrell Taylor, Jaylon Johnson, Trevon Diggs, and Jalen Hurts. While Hamler's injuries have hindered his progress, he remains focused on his journey and is determined to make a significant impact on the field.

The Denver Broncos now face the daunting task of filling the void left by Patrick and Hamler. With their sudden absence, the team will need to rely on other wide receivers to step up and contribute. The upcoming season will undoubtedly be a challenging one for the Broncos, but they remain hopeful and determined to overcome these setbacks.