Broncos WR K.J. Hamler shares pericarditis diagnosis, will reportedly be waived with eye for return
Denver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler was diagnosed with "mild heart irritation" called pericarditis, he announced via Instagram on Monday.
In light of the medical condition, the Broncos are reportedly planning to waive him on a non-football illness designation. The move is procedural, with hopes to bring him back, according to a report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
The 24-year-old was dealing with chest pains while working out before camp started, he said in his statement.
"I will be back on the field — better and stronger than ever — as soon as possible this season! I feel great physically and this is very frustrating for me to deal with," he wrote. "It’s tough to deal with this when I was ready for a breakout year, but adversity is nothing new to me."
He's reportedly expected to miss weeks — not months — with the heart condition.
As noted by Garafalo, the move to waive Hamler allows for his return, whereas placing him on reserve or the non-football injury list could prevent him from playing for the entire season. The team also needs the roster spot, with wide receiver Tim Patrick also sidelined with an Achilles injury he sustained during training camp Monday.
Hamler underwent surgery in March for a torn pectoral injury he suffered while training on his own earlier this offseason. He was expected to need 4-6 months of recovery and landed on the active/non-football injury list a day before training camp began.
A "quick break" on the pericarditis treatment plan comes as the latest setback for the former Penn State standout.
The Broncos selected Hamler in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He sustained a hamstring injury before the season that kept him out for the season opener. Missing another game due to a hamstring issue, he ended the season on the injured reserve after a concussion.
In Week 3 of the 2021 season, Hamler tore his left ACL and missed the rest of the campaign. He also missed the final nine weeks of the 2022 season with a hamstring issue.
In three seasons with the Broncos, he has recorded 42 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns in just 23 games. He notched all three scores during his rookie year.
