It’s a new year, but the same old for the Denver Broncos’ wide receivers. Two big pieces of their WR core both went down on Monday with injuries. For years, the Broncos have had a very talented WR core on paper, but injuries have kept the unit from playing together as one.
Courtland Sutton missed most of the 2020 season with a torn ACL.
Jerry Jeudy missed a ton of time in 2021 with a bad ankle.
Tim Patrick missed all of 2022 with a torn ACL, and now he’s set to miss all of the 2023 NFL season with a torn Achilles.
KJ Hamler has missed more games than he’s played in the NFL since his rookie season in 2020. It’s a shame this room has never been able to put it all together. With Patrick tearing his Achilles on Monday, the Broncos were dealt another huge blow.
What we learned w/Broncos today:
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 1, 2023
-Tim Patrick suffered complete tear of left achilles, out for year
-KJ Hamler waived with non-football illness designation after diagnosed with pericarditis
-Clark and Moss DNP with “club decision”
-Signed OG Yasir Durant
-Waived DiLauro
And then, to make matters worse, the team will be without KJ Hamler for a bit as he seeks treatment for a heart condition called pericarditis. In response to this, the Broncos waived Hamler but appear to have some interest in bringing him back once he gets healthy.
All of a sudden, the WR room for the Denver Broncos is down two bodies. Their top two pass catchers, Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, are still looking to be huge focal points of the passing game in 2023.
New additions in the room, Marquez Callaway and Marvin Mims Jr will now have to step up in their absences, because the Denver Broncos could also choose to not bring Hamler back. I’m not even sure if KJ Hamler was making the final roster. These injuries could also make life a bit harder for Russell Wilson, who is now down two pass catchers to throw to.
Not only will other WRs have to step up, but every other offensive skill player will have to step up as well. The Denver Broncos do have an interesting situation at tight end. Two players in this room are Greg Dulcich and Albert Okwuegbunam. What I find interesting about them is how athletic they are, more so than other tight ends.
They’re both of good size for the position but are extremely quick and agile on the field. You have to wonder if the Broncos will now try to use one of them in the role that Tim Patrick was set to hold in the offense. They could almost be viewed as bigger wide receivers in this case.
I’m sure it’s way more nuanced than that, but I trust that Sean Payton will know how to navigate this situation.