The Denver Broncos waived wide receiver KJ Hamler earlier this week with a non-football illness designation.
Hamler received that designation after being diagnosed with pericarditis, a heart irritation. The 24-year-old receiver will now spend the next month or so treating the condition.
Broncos coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton met with Hamler and the receiver’s agent to explain their plan before the cut.
“His [situation] is unique, and it’s a unique condition,” Payton said on Tuesday. “We had a long visit with him. With him, the good news is we feel like — I don’t want to put a prognosis or timeline on it, but approximately a month and probably another couple of weeks to get in football shape. We are hopeful that once the symptoms dissipate and he is cleared, then that leaves us a lot of options. We spent a lot of time with him and his agent coming up with the best plan, and we feel like we have a good one.”
Had the Broncos placed Hamler on the reserve/NFI list, he would have been ruled out for the entire season. By waiving him, Denver will have an extra spot on the roster while Hamler recovers. Once the receiver has recovered, the Broncos might re-sign him later this year.
“All of us — when you get ready for a break or a rehab, you want to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Payton said. “It’s important that they hear that from me and George. That’s the purpose of the meeting we had with KJ. He was good — obviously disappointed.
“With his situation, it’s more of a condition than an injury. It’s something that is new. He’s never had a history of it. It’s a little unique, but the good news is we feel like about a month and a half from now, that option — based on how he’s feeling — has a chance to work out in his favor and our favor.”
Hamler cleared waivers and is now a free agent, but he seems unlikely to be signed by a team while treating the condition. The fourth-year receiver will now aim to recover and return to Denver early in the 2023 season.
