Hamler’s hamstring injury puts status in doubt
The Broncos receiver suffered a non-contact injury during practice on Wednesday in Dove Valley
KJ Hamler did not practice Thursday due to a hamstring injury and the receiver’s prognosis for playing Sunday against Tennessee appears bleak.
The third-year wide receiver suffered what head coach Nathaniel Hackett described as a non-contact injury during practice on Wednesday.
“We’re going to evaluate it,” Hackett said. “It’s a hamstring, so those things, we have to be sure we’re smart with so we’ll see how it moves forward.”
Hamler spent the entire offseason rehabilitating from knee and hip surgery and was just starting to see his playing time approach a full role as the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver. His speed helped open up Denver’s struggling offense in recent weeks. Of quarterback Russell Wilson’s five completions of 40plus yards this fall, Hamler’s responsible for three.
In his place, the Broncos could turn to Kendall Hinton or undrafted rookie Jalen Virgil. Virgil was inactive for the first seven games but made the game day roster in London.
“For him, it might be time and he’s got to get out there and show us all the things he’s got,” Hackett said of Virgil.
Hamler also dealt with hamstring injuries his rookie season. He couldn’t run at the combine because of a hamstring injury, then missed a chunk of the preseason and two games in 2020 due to hamstring issues.
Rookie gaining confidence: With Bradley Chubb now a Dolphin, and Baron Browning still not practicing from a hip injury that kept him out of the last game in London, rookie Nik Bonitto is in line for his first NFL start.
After not playing in Week 1 and being inactive in Week 2, Bonitto has slowly been gaining traction, and has 1.5 sacks over the last two games. He said he’s gotten more comfortable with the playbook and is “not doing so much thinking out there.”
“I’m just going out there, knowing what I need to do and I’m playing fast,” Bonitto said. “The more practice and game reps I’m getting, I’m starting to understand the opposing offenses and what different schemes they are trying to run against us.”
Playing the edge has been an adjustment for Bonitto, who was mostly a gap rusher at Oklahoma.
“I’m getting better at it, because it wasn’t something I was asked to do in college,” Bonitto said. “It was a lot more stunting and shooting gaps instead of actually holding edges. With more reps, I’m getting better, for sure.”
Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper and Jacob Martin will be Denver’s primary pass-rushers on Sunday in Tennessee. Denver is still waiting on Randy Gregory to return from injured reserve; he had two sacks in the first four games before hurting his knee.
Risner on Wiggins watch: While the Broncos travel to Nashville on Saturday, Dalton Risner will be paying attention to the Class 1A state football bracket.
Risner’s alma mater Wiggins, where his dad Mitch Risner has been coach since 2011, is playing in the quarterfinals against rival Wray on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Broncos left guard played for his dad in the 1A state title game in 2011, and said he’s proud of the way his dad built Wiggins from a struggling program into a perennial contender in a classification dominated by heavyweight Limon (who owns a Chsaa-record 20 state titles).
“Wiggins is a program that was really bad and struggling, and he took us from a team that won one or two games to a team that’s been in the playoffs the majority of the years he’s been there,” Risner said. “He’s a tough coach. He teaches these kids blue-collar mentality and toughness and work ethic, and that’s the stuff I’m proud of.”
Injury updates: In addition to Hamler and Browning, cornerback Darius Phillips also did not practice due to an illness. Cornerback Essang Bassey (hamstring), tight end Andrew Beck (hamstring), receiver Tyrie Cleveland (groin), tackle Cam Fleming (quad), safety P.J. Locke (hamstring) and safety Justin Simmons (knee sprain) were limited.
For the Titans, linebackers Zach Cunningham (elbow) and Bud Dupree (hip) both did not practice for a second straight day. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, inactive the past two games due an ankle injury, was a full participant Thursday and is trending towards playing.