The Broncos waived wide receiver K.J. Hamler with a non-football illness designation on Monday.
The procedural move comes after Hamler announced on Instagram that he was diagnosed with a mild heart irritation before the start of camp. He said in his Instagram post that he is being treated with medicine and taking “a quick break” to get his health situated.
Hamler was previously placed on the active/non-football injury list, as he continued to recover from a torn pectoral muscle. The door is still open for Hamler to return to Denver later in the season.
“I will be back on the field — better and stronger than ever — as soon as possible this season,” Hamler said “I feel great physically and this is very frustrating for me to deal with. I know most of you have heard or know of my story and these past few years what I’ve been going through on and off the field.
“It’s tough to deal with this when I was ready for a breakout year, but adversity is nothing new to me. I have been through hell and back, but it’s hard to reach paradise if you don’t go through hell first.”
Hamler, who was in the final year of his rookie contract, has played in 10 games over the past two seasons.
In 2021, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 3. A hamstring injury forced Hamler to miss the final nine games of last season before he tore his pectoral muscle while training on his own away from the Broncos facility in March.
With Hamler out and wide receiver Tim Patrick suffering an apparent left Achilles injury during Monday’s practice, Denver is now down two wide receivers through three days of training camp.
Broncos sign OL Durant
Denver announced Monday that it signed offensive lineman Yasir Durant. Third-year offensive tackle Christian DiLauro was waived in a corresponding move after playing in three games for the Broncos in 2022.
Durant has played in 19 career games, making two starts. He played one game for the New Orleans Saints last season and also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots.
Surtain reacts to Top 100 ranking
Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II doesn’t care too much about player rankings, even if some consider him one of the best at his position.
Well, that was until he found out where he stood in the NFL Top 100 Players list for 2023. He didn’t have to say it: The surprised look on Surtain’s face when a reporter told him he was ranked No. 49 was enough indication that he thinks he should be higher.
“Oh, well,” said Surtain, as his response generated some laughter. “It’s pretty dope that your peers across the league mention you in high regards. I always tell myself that I gotta get better than the year before, so I’m looking to get higher in those rankings.”
Surtain is a part of a talented secondary that has impressed so far in camp. He said cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who had a pass break-up during 11-on-11 drills, has been playing at a high level.
“He’s very comfortable and poised out there,” Surtain said. “He’s very locked in.”
Surtain added that the sky’s the limit for second-year corner Damarri Mathis.
“He played good (football) for us last year,” Surtain said. “When you (have) a guy like that on the opposite (side) of you, it brings more confidence out of me. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table.”
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