After wide receiver KJ Hamler sat out practice on Thursday, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said the rookie would miss “a couple weeks.” Those weeks might drag into a month.
Hamler could be out a month, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Hamstring injuries can have varying recovery times and Denver won’t want to rush Hamler back on the field before he’s fully recovered.
One month from Thursday would be Sept. 20, which puts Hamler in danger of missing the Broncos’ season opener against the Titans (Sept. 14) and possibly their road game against the Steelers (Sept. 20) as well.
With Hamler sidelined, the Broncos brought in free agent wide receiver Cody White for a tryout. There’s been no word yet on if that tryout will lead to a spot on the roster.
Elsewhere on the injury front, outside linebacker Von Miller (elbow) and running back Melvin Gordon (ribs) were held out of practice Friday but their injuries do not seem to be serious. Fangio said both players are day-to-day.
Wide receiver Juwann Winfree (groin), tight end Nick Vannett (concussion protocol) and tight end Austin Fort (knee) were also held out. Fort will be out for several weeks. Vannett might be close to returning. Winfree’s status is uncertain.
Fangio said Elijah Wilkinson “tweaked” his ankle at Friday’s practice but the right tackle says he will be OK.
“My ankle is fine,” Wilkinson said. “Just a quick roll, but everything was fine walking off. They just kind of pulled me and no reason aggravate it anymore. Everything is fine. We got tangled up a little bit, but everything is cool.”
Denver received good news on inside linebacker Todd Davis, who suffered a calf injury on Thursday. Davis has a strain, not a tear, which means a faster recovery time. Davis is still going to miss “at least a week,” according to Fangio, but that’s better than missing two months as he did in 2019.
Broncos rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam has some kind of thumb injury but he has been able to catch passes at practice with a splint.
“You can’t even tell [he’s wearing it] so that’s always good to see that he’s not taking the easy way out with a crutch there,” Fangio said of Okwuegbunam’s splint. “Overall, we’ve been pleased with him.”
Denver’s players will get a much-needed rest day on Saturday before returning to the UCHealth Training Center for Day 8 on Sunday.
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