The Denver Broncos have already suffered major injuries at the wide receiver position. Since training camp began, Denver is already down two top playmakers and weapons. With Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler sidelined, quarterback Russell Wilson will have to rely on others to step up. Sean Payton and the Broncos will have to pivot quickly. The season opener versus the Las Vegas Raiders is just around the corner.
Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Options After Injuries
Wide Receiver Tim Patrick
Former undrafted free agent wide receiver Tim Patrick has sustained an Achilles injury that will keep him on Injured Reserve for the 2023 season. Patrick missed all of 2022 with an injury as well, as he tore his right ACL in training camp. Almost exactly one year later, Patrick tore his left Achilles tendon and will miss another year with the Broncos.
Two back-to-back missed seasons put Patrick in a terrible position and his career in jeopardy. For the Broncos, losing their number three receiver will negatively impact Russell Wilson’s growth during his first season with Sean Payton. Denver will have to scramble to find a talented replacement before the season officially begins.
Wide Receiver K.J. Hamler
Injury-plagued wide receiver K.J. Hamler will miss the beginning of the 2023 season with a heart condition. Hamler had just recovered from a partially torn pectoral muscle sustained in the offseason. He revealed that he was diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart. Taking time away from football to medically recover, Hamler will miss approximately a month. Meanwhile, Denver waived Hamler from their roster. The two sides should reunite in time, but Hamler will not be ready to begin the season. His health comes first, and the Denver Broncos must move on from their number four receiver.
Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Replacements
There are many receivers on the Broncos roster that could immediately fill in for Patrick and for Hamler. One is 2023 draft pick Marvin Mims from Oklahoma. Another is free agent acquisition Marquez Callaway, who played with head coach Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints.
Kendall Hinton is a fan favorite, having stepped in to play quarterback when Denver had a COVID-19 exposure. Broncos tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Adam Trautman might also see some extra targets. Russell Wilson will have to quickly find chemistry in training camp with other young wide receivers.
The Post-Injury Plan
Tim Patrick is out for the season, but K.J. Hamler is expected to return. Meanwhile, Denver will rely heavily on their top two receivers in Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Wilson will also need to trust second-year tight end Greg Dulcich, who showed promise in his rookie season.
Running back Javonte Williams will also need to carry a heavy load, as Denver might rely on its ground game even more. This will truly be a test of the offensive prowess of coach Sean Payton. He is in charge of a team coming off a losing season and already dealing with significant injuries. The 2023 season is almost here and the Broncos already have two wide receivers lost.
More must-reads: