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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Ex-Broncos WR KJ Hamler plays RB for Bills in preseason

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler might be making a position switch.

Hamler, 25, lined up at running back for the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter of their preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night. Hamler rushed three times for 21 yards and a touchdown. He also had three catches for 11 yards in a 31-26 loss.

The decision to play Hamler at running back might have been more out of necessity than a precursor to a full-time position change. Buffalo was not playing starters and there were no other RBs left to play late in Saturday’s game. If it was experimental, Hamler seemingly made a good impression.

Hamler (5-9, 178 pounds) also got reps as a kickoff and punt returner earlier in preseason, so Buffalo is clearly giving him a shot to carve out a role.

Hamler was picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Penn State. He struggled to stay on the field in Denver and was waived last summer with a non-football illness designation after being diagnosed with pericarditis.

Hamler spent last season on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad and he’s now competing for a roster spot with the Bills. The fifth-year receiver totaled 42 receptions for 620 yards and three touchdowns in 23 games with the Broncos from 2020-2023.

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