The Denver Broncos waived wide receiver KJ Hamler with a non-football illness designation on Monday, according to multiple reports.
Hamler had been working his way back from a pectoral injury that he suffered this spring. He will now be cut and focus on recovering from pericarditis, which “isn’t overly serious,” according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Had the team placed Hamler on the reserve/non-football illness list, he would have been ruled out for the entire season. By releasing him, Denver is leaving open the possibility for a return later this year while creating a roster spot in the meantime.
The Broncos will now have room on the roster to bring in a new wide receiver. Hamler will receive heart treatment via medicine, not surgery, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.
Multiple reporters have indicated that Denver could bring Hamler back early in the season once he has recovered. The Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson reported that “there is ample optimism” Hamler could return this fall.
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