What Happened to K.J. Hamler? Know About His Injuries
by Aishwarya R
Updated Aug 01, 2023
Who is K.J. Hamler?
K.J. Hamler is an American football wide receiver. He was born on July 8, 1999. Hamler played his college football at Penn State University. As a wide receiver, he showcased his skills and athleticism during his time at Penn State, making him an exciting prospect for the NFL. In the 2020 NFL Draft, K.J. Hamler was selected as a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos. The team saw great potential in his abilities and hoped he would become a valuable asset to their receiving corps.
Throughout his professional career, Hamler has had to deal with a series of unfortunate injuries that have hindered his availability for the Broncos. These injuries have included hamstring issues and a torn ACL that prematurely ended his 2021 season. Despite his talent and promise as a wide receiver, the injuries have limited his playing time and the chance to fully showcase his abilities on the field.
As of now, K.J. Hamler is a free agent, meaning he is not currently signed to any NFL team. His status as a free agent could be due to his recent health issues and the need for him to focus on recovery and rehabilitation before considering a return to the field.
Given his young age and potential, there may still be interest from teams once he recovers fully from his injuries. Depending on his rehabilitation progress, K.J. Hamler may have the opportunity to find a new team and continue his professional football career in the future.
What Happened to K.J. Hamler?
K.J. Hamler, the wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, is set to miss several weeks of training camp and potentially the start of the regular season due to a diagnosis of pericarditis, which is a mild heart irritation. The news of his condition was revealed by Hamler himself through his Instagram account. He mentioned that he will be undergoing a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medication, with the intention of returning to the field as soon as possible.
It is a concerning development for the Broncos, as Hamler's absence adds to their woes at the wide receiver position. Earlier on the same day, the team lost another key player, Tim Patrick, to what is suspected to be an Achilles injury. If confirmed, this would mean that Patrick is facing his second consecutive season on the sidelines due to injury, as he had suffered an ACL tear in 2022.
In response to Hamler's health situation, the Broncos have waived him with a non-football illness designation. This move allows them to retain him on the roster while he undergoes treatment for his condition. The team expects him to return once his treatment is completed, and there is no indication that he will require heart surgery as part of his recovery plan.
The Broncos will undoubtedly miss Hamler's speed and playmaking abilities during his absence. However, the team is hopeful that he will make a full recovery and be back in action as soon as possible. In the meantime, they will have to adjust their roster and game plans to cope with the absence of both K.J. Hamler and Tim Patrick for the upcoming weeks.
K.J. Hamler Injuries
Indeed, the situation surrounding K.J. Hamler's injuries is unfortunate, and it has certainly impacted his career since being selected as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Hamler's injury troubles began in his rookie year when he was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. The following season, in 2021, a torn ACL cut his campaign short in Week 3. Subsequently, in 2022, he faced another hamstring injury, which landed him back on injured reserve.
In 2023, even before his recent diagnosis of pericarditis, his status was uncertain due to a torn pec suffered while working out independently. These recurring injuries have significantly hampered his ability to stay on the field and showcase his talent consistently. With Hamler facing yet another extended absence, the Denver Broncos will have to rely on other wide receivers to step up and fill the void.
Courtland Sutton, who has shown promise and development, is expected to be the team's primary receiving option. Jerry Jeudy, who has also demonstrated his potential, will likely serve as the No. 2 receiver. Additionally, rookie Marvin Mims is expected to see an increased role in light of the injuries to Patrick and Hamler. The K.J. Hamler pick has not turned out as hoped for the Broncos, given his injury-riddled career thus far.
It remains uncertain what his role will be once he is cleared to play again, considering the depth and development of other wide receivers on the team. On a positive note, Marquez Callaway is expected to make the 53-man roster, providing additional depth and talent at the wide receiver position. Ultimately, the Broncos will have to navigate through this challenging situation and make the most of the receiving options available to support their quarterback, presumably Zach Wilson, during the upcoming season.
K.J. Hamler Career in NFL
K.J. Hamler's NFL career has been marked by both promise and adversity since being selected by the Denver Broncos with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In his rookie season in 2020, Hamler showed glimpses of his potential as a dynamic wide receiver. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 and displayed his speed and playmaking abilities, recording three receptions for 48 receiving yards.
He had a memorable moment in Week 8, catching his first career touchdown pass with no time remaining on the clock, helping the Broncos secure a thrilling 31–30 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Throughout the season, he showcased his skills, finishing with 30 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns. However, his rookie year was also marred by injuries. In January 2021, Hamler was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, cutting his season short.
Despite the setbacks, there was hope that he would bounce back stronger in his sophomore season. The 2021 season brought new challenges for Hamler as he aimed to overcome his previous hamstring issues. He had a promising start to the preseason, catching a touchdown pass in the first game. Unfortunately, in Week 3, he suffered a torn ACL, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. It was a major setback for the young receiver.
In the 2022 season, Hamler returned to the field, but injuries continued to plague him. On December 3, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve once again, this time due to a hamstring injury. He played in only seven games during the season and recorded seven receptions for 165 yards. As of the 2023 season, Hamler's NFL career took another unfortunate turn. He underwent surgery to repair a partially torn pectoral muscle he sustained while training independently, ruling him out for 4-6 months.
Later, on July 31, 2023, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with pericarditis, a mild heart irritation. As a result, the Denver Broncos waived him with a non-football illness designation. Despite the immense talent he has shown on the field, K.J. Hamler's NFL career has been plagued by a series of injuries, preventing him from realizing his full potential. He has faced multiple challenges in his short career, but he remains determined to overcome these obstacles and return to the game he loves. For now, he will focus on his recovery and rehabilitation, with the hope of making a comeback in the future, either with the Broncos or another NFL team.
K.J. Hamler Early Life
K.J. Hamler comes from a family with celebrity parents, Latonya Gooding and Thomas Hamler, who have chosen to live a private life, which is why there is limited information available about them. He has two siblings, an elder sister named Michelle and a brother. Being the youngest in the family, K.J. Hamler has followed his passion for American football and has achieved success in the sport.
Hamler's journey in football led him to move from his hometown, Pontiac, Michigan, to Florida, where he played his final year of high school football as a senior at IMG Academy. However, before his first game at IMG Academy, he suffered a setback when he tore his ACL. Prior to attending IMG Academy, Hamler attended St. Mary's Preparatory School in Orchard Lake, Michigan, where he earned recognition as a two-year letterman. He was highly rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, and a three-star prospect by 247Sports, showcasing his talent and potential in the sport.
In addition to football, Hamler also displayed his athleticism by participating in track and field for two seasons. K.J. Hamler's journey from his high school days to the NFL has been shaped by his dedication to the sport and his family's support. Despite facing setbacks like his ACL injury, he has persevered and showcased his abilities on the football field, earning him a place among promising young talents in the NFL.
What Happened to K.J. Hamler - FAQs
K.J. Hamler's NFL career has been marked by a series of unfortunate injuries, including hamstring issues, a torn ACL, and a partially torn pectoral muscle. These injuries have resulted in him missing significant playing time and have impacted his ability to fully showcase his talent on the field.
K.J. Hamler played in seven games during the 2022 NFL season before being placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
K.J. Hamler played college football at Penn State University, where he showcased his skills and athleticism as a wide receiver. He was recognized as a promising prospect, earning four-star ratings from ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, and a three-star rating from 247Sports.
During his rookie season in the NFL, K.J. Hamler suffered a hamstring injury that led to him being placed on injured reserve in January 2021.
In 2023, K.J. Hamler underwent surgery to repair a partially torn pectoral muscle that he sustained while training independently. Additionally, he announced that he was diagnosed with pericarditis, a mild heart irritation, which led to the Denver Broncos waiving him with a non-football illness designation.