Former Penn State star sidelined with heart condition ahead of NFL training camp
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KJ Hamler hasn’t participated in the Denver Broncos’ training camp so far this year, and with most believing the absence to be because of an injury, the speedy wide receiver took to Instagram to reveal the real reason for his absence.
Hamler, who starred at Penn State from 2017-2019, announced on the platform that he has been diagnosed with a heart irritation known as pericarditis, and is taking a quick break from the gridiron to address the issue.
“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 caption on Instagram. “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!”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Pericarditis is swelling and irritation of the thin, saclike tissue surrounding the heart. It often causes sharp chest pain when the irritated layers of the heart rub against each other. Typically, it goes away on its own, although Hamler says he will undergo a treatment plan.
Mike Klis of 9NEWS in Denver reports that Hamler will appear on the NFL transaction wire as “waived/non-football illness” in what he describes as a procedural move, while noting that the door is “wide open” for him to return to Denver or another team.
Hamler, a second-round pick for Denver in 2020, has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career. He tore his ACL his senior year of high school, as well as his second NFL season.
The 5-foot-9 wideout also went on IR in 2022 for a hamstring injury, and tore his pec this offseason as well.
He expressed his frustrations in the caption.
“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,” Hamler wrote. “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. 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.”
Hamler recorded 1658 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons for the Nittany Lions, making second-team all-Big 10 in 2019. With Denver, he has snagged 42 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns over three NFL seasons.
This news comes directly after Denver head coach Sean Payton revealed that another Bronco wide receiver, Tim Patrick, likely suffered an Achilles injury, which would potentially be the second-straight season Patrick suffered a season-ending injury in training camp.