NFL star forced to stop playing after being diagnosed with heart issue
Denver Broncos wide receiver K.J. Hamler has confirmed his pericarditis diagnosis after getting screened for chest pains. He described the illness as "mild heart irritation."
The Broncos will waive Hamler on a non-football illness designation, according to NFL Network. But they could bring him back in a few weeks, as his condition is not considered career-threatening.
Hamler has been plagued by injuries over the last three years, missing extensive time with ACL and hamstring problems before experiencing his heart issue. He's played in just 10 games since he made 30 catches for 381 cards as a rookie in 2020.
"After feeling some chest pains while working out on the break before camp started, I got everything checked out and was diagnosed with mild heart irritation, called pericarditis," Hamler wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. "I've got a great treatment plan with medicine and am taking a quick break to get this all taken care of so I can get back to doing what I love."
"I will be back on the field—better and stronger than ever—as soon as possible this season!" he continued. "I feel great physically and this is very frustrating for me to deal with. I know most of you have heard or know of my story and these past few years what I've been going through on and off the field. It's tough to deal with this when I was ready for a breakout year, but adversity is nothing new to me. I have been through hell and back, but it's hard to reach paradise if you don't go through hell first.
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"I'll get past this just like everything else on this journey! I will continue to elevate. I forever stand on business. This is not a farewell, this is not a good bye, this is a see you soon as I take a break for my health. I'm so grateful for my teammates & coaches. Appreciate the support from the Broncos Country and encouragement I have been receiving. This is something to bring awareness to anybody. So anyone with chest pains please get checked out by your doctor! Stay true, Be you, stand on Ten, Never bend."
Hamler's health scare came on the same day Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick was carted off the practice field at training camp. Head coach Sean Payton said he fears Patrick has sustained an Achilles injury in what could be a season-ending blow.
Sean Payton lost two receivers in one day on Monday, testing the Denver Broncos' depth. (The Denver Post via Getty Images)The Broncos are desperate to get back on track, following a dismal 5-12 record in 2022. Denver fired Nathaniel Hackett, now the New York Jets offensive coordinator, in the middle of the season. After taking over as head coach this year, Payton said Hackett was responsible for "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL."
With Hamler and Patrick now expected to be absent for a while, the Broncos will lean on wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton for downfield production. But Jeudy and Sutton have also been snake-bitten by injuries in the recent past.
Payton may seek additional pass catchers through free agency to shore up quarterback Russell Wilson's throwing options.
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