Broncos WR K.J. Hamler to take 'quick break' from football due to heart condition
Denver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler is taking a "quick break" from football.
Hamler announced on social media that he was diagnosed with the heart condition pericarditis. Pericarditis is swelling and irritation of the pericardium, a thin, saclike tissue surrounding the heart, per the Mayo Clinic.
The receiver said he was experiencing chest pains before camp, which prompted him to get checked out.
NFL Network reported Monday that the Broncos are planning to waive Hamler with a non-football illness designation, although the team has a desire to bring him back. Hamler is expected to miss multiple weeks.
"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," Hamler wrote on Instagram. "It’s tough to deal with this when I was ready for a breakout year, but adversity is nothing new to me."
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The Broncos are also facing the potential loss of wide receiver Tim Patrick. Patrick went down during Monday’s training camp with what the team fears to be an Achilles injury.
Hamler has 42 catches, 620 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 23 career games with the Broncos. Patrick, who was coming off of a knee injury in 2022, has 143 catches, 2,009 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 55 career games in Denver.
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