Broncos WR room takes colossal hit with pair of injuries

Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos WR room takes colossal hit with pair of potentially devastating injuries

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/1/23

A pair of Denver Broncos wide receivers are facing uncertain futures on the gridiron, though one could reportedly be back before the regular season begins.

Broncos’ WR Tim Patrick is believed to have torn his Achilles, per sources. A season-ending injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2023

A medical update from #Broncos WR K.J. Hamler on Instagram. Not as scary as it sounds but serious enough for him to be sidelined a bit. pic.twitter.com/uiW815v05A
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 31, 2023

The #Broncos need a roster spot with both K.J. Hamler and Tim Patrick (Achilles) sidelined. Putting him on reserve/NFI would’ve knocked him out for the season. Waiving him leaves open the possibility of his return. He has a chance to be back on the field early in the season.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 31, 2023

K.J. Hamler and Tim Patrick were two of the Broncos' top wideouts during the 2020 season (Hamler's rookie campaign), as the latter led the squad in receiving touchdowns (six) that year and was second in receiving yards (742) and Hamler was tied for second with three scores through the air. Since then, however, the duo has had trouble staying on the field.

Hamler was limited to a career-low three games in 2021 after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 3. He played in just seven contests in 2022 due to a hamstring injury.

Patrick played in all 16 games during the 2021 campaign but suffered a torn ACL in early August last year that caused him to miss the entire season.

Both Patrick and Hamler were expected to be vital members of Denver's pass-catching group, working as the projected third and fourth options behind last season's top receiver Jerry Jeudy and one-time Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton.

According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the quartet of wideouts have only played two games together over the last three seasons. Sutton went down with a torn ACL during Week 2 of the 2020 campaign.

It sounds like Hamler could be back before Week 1, but things may be a bit more dire for Patrick, who is facing a second consecutive lost season.

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