KJ Hamler

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Lore & Background

Hamler's arrival in Denver came as a second-round pick, 46th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft. His rookie season immediately delivered a signature moment: in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, with no time remaining on the clock, he caught his first career touchdown to lift the Broncos to a 31–30 victory. That play became a highlight of the season, showcasing the deep-threat ability he brought from Penn State. However, injuries defined much of his Broncos tenure. After a hamstring injury ended his rookie year on injured reserve (placed January 2, 2021), he suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 of the 2021 season and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 28, 2021. In 2022, he played only seven games, recording seven receptions for 165 yards, before another hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve on December 3, 2022. Off-field health issues also emerged: on July 31, 2023, Hamler announced he was diagnosed with pericarditis. He was subsequently waived by the Broncos with a non-football illness designation.

In Their Own Story

The clock showed zeros at Empower Field at Mile High. Week 8, 2020, and the Broncos trailed the Los Angeles Chargers 30–28. With no time remaining, quarterback Drew Lock found KJ Hamler in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown that sealed a 31–30 victory. It was Hamler's first career touchdown catch, and it came in the most dramatic fashion possible. Earlier in that rookie season, he had already made an impact: in Week 2, he recorded three receptions for 48 yards in a 26–21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers, he hauled in two receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns during a 32–27 win. But the hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve on January 2, 2021, foreshadowed the physical challenges ahead. The 2021 season brought a torn ACL in Week 3, ending his sophomore campaign. By 2022, he managed seven games before another hamstring injury shut him down. In March 2023, he underwent surgery for a partially torn pectoral muscle suffered while training on his own, and was ruled out for 4–6 months. Then came the pericarditis diagnosis in July 2023, leading to his release from the Broncos.

Reader's Guide

KJ Hamler was drafted by the Denver Broncos as a wide receiver in the second round (46th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. His role was that of a deep threat and return specialist. In his rookie season, he recorded 30 receptions for 381 yards and three touchdowns across 13 games (starting 3). His most memorable play came in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, when he caught a game-winning touchdown as time expired. He also had a two-touchdown game in Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers. Injuries, however, became a recurring theme: a hamstring injury ended his rookie year on IR, a torn ACL in Week 3 of 2021 ended that season, and a hamstring injury limited him to seven games in 2022. After the 2022 season, he underwent surgery for a partially torn pectoral muscle. In July 2023, he was diagnosed with pericarditis and subsequently waived by the Broncos with a non-football illness designation. He later signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad (September 30, 2023), then the Buffalo Bills (reserve/future contract January 20, 2024; released August 27, 2024; signed back to practice squad; signed another reserve/future contract January 28, 2025; released August 26, 2025). As of January 29, 2026, he is with the Orlando Storm of the UFL.

Did You Know?

• Hamler was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
• He caught his first career touchdown with no time remaining in Week 8 of the 2020 season to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31–30.
• Hamler suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 of the 2021 season and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 28, 2021.
• On July 31, 2023, Hamler announced he was diagnosed with pericarditis.
• He signed with the Orlando Storm of the United Football League (UFL) on January 29, 2026.