K.J. Hamler will miss the remainder of the 2021 season after the wide receiver suffered an ACL tear during Denver’s Week 3 win over the Jets, the Broncos announced. Hamler sustained the injury after colliding with Jets defenders late in the first half of Denver’s 26-0 victory.
The second-year receiver is currently fourth on the team with 10 targets through three games. Hamler has caught five passes for 74 yards this season while averaging 14.8 yards per catch. In 13 games last season, Hamler caught 30 of 56 targets for 381 yards and three touchdowns. Hamler was one of three receivers selected by the Broncos in the 2020 draft, along with first-round pick Jerry Jeudy and seventh-round pick Tyrie Cleveland. Jeudy is currently on injured reserve as he continues to recover from a high-ankle injury.
Denver’s receiving corps has been led this season by Courtland Sutton, a 2019 Pro Bowler who missed most of the 2020 season with an injury. Sutton leads the Broncos in receptions and in receiving yards, while four-year veteran Tim Patrick leads Denver with two touchdown catches through three games. Third-year tight end Noah Fant is tied for second on the team with 12 receptions and third with 110 receiving yards.
Expect more contributions in recent weeks from backup receivers Diontae Spencer and Kendall Hinton. Denver will also likely promote one of their four practice squad receivers that includes Cleveland, Rico Gafford, De’Mornay Pierson-El, and Seth Williams.
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