Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Tim Patrick Sustains Injury During Training Camp Incident
The Denver Broncos are now minus two seasoned wide receivers following Tim Patrick's Achilles injury and K.J. Hamler's heart condition.
During a 7-on-7 session at the Broncos' training camp in the suburbs of Denver, Patrick tore his left Achilles tendon while attempting a route. Head coach Sean Payton witnessed the incident: "He was running a route. I saw it directly. He planted, thought it looked like he slipped."
The veteran players reported to training camp on the Tuesday before a slew of star athletes sustained injuries, with Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals (calf) and Jalen Ramsey of the Miami Dolphins (knee) being among them.
Payton, former coach of the Super Bowl-winning 2009 New Orleans Saints, seems well-geared for guiding the Broncos through his first season, replacing the underwhelming Nathaniel Hackett during his term in 2022. Wilson, the Broncos' quarterback, remains optimistic about his partnership with Payton, despite previous struggles caused by Hackett. However, this duo will now face their first significant hurdle with the loss of not just one, but two key wide receivers.
The previous year, Patrick's training camp injury led to him tearing his right knee's ACL. He missed the entire season following surgery. Before that, between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Patrick collected 104 receptions and 11 touchdowns in 33 games. He was crucial for the team, both on the field and as a voice of clarity in the locker room.
As if Patrick's injury wasn't enough, Hamler revealed a health issue through social media while Patrick was still being treated for his own injury. Hamler was diagnosed with pericarditis, a minor heart irritation. He began training camp with an illness that wasn't related to football and had not yet had an official practice session. The Broncos released Hamler on Monday, using an NFI designation to free up a roster spot for him to address his condition. The team plans on welcoming him back once he's treated and healthy.
On social media, Hamler shared his struggle, saying, "I've been through hell and back... But it's hard to reach paradise if you don't go through hell first."
Hamler has also experienced knee issues throughout his career. He tore his ACL in the 2021 season, missing three games and another with a hip injury. The Broncos drafted Hamler in the 2020 NFL Draft's second round from Penn State. As a rookie, he tackled 30 receptions and scored three touchdowns in 13 games.
Jeudy will likely be Wilson's primary target, with Sutton currently ranked as the team's number two receiver. Jamal Adams, who played in 15 games in 2022 for the Broncos, had 67 receptions, 972 yards, and six touchdowns. Sutton contributed 64 receptions, 829 yards, and two touchdowns in the same amount of games.
The Broncos will also depend on their latest acquisitions, like Marquez Callaway and Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Callaway and Humphrey both signed with the team during free agency, and Payton coached them earlier in their careers with the New Orleans Saints. Rookie Marvin Mims Jr., drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft from Oklahoma, may also see increased playing time.
In 2022, the Broncos finished last in the AFC West with a 5-12 record. Oddsmakers give them a 8.5 over/under for wins in 2023. The Broncos' chances of making the playoffs are +180, according to a prop bet on DraftKings, while their likelihood of failing to reach the postseason is -215.
The Kansas City Chiefs currently lead the AFC West with -165 odds, followed by the Los Angeles Chargers with +340, the Broncos at +550, and the Las Vegas Raiders at +1200. The Raiders' chances suffer if running back Josh Jacobs opts to play no games in a contract dispute.
The Denver Broncos have a 4,000 to 1 chance of winning Super Bowl LVIII, putting them in the middle of the pack. They also have a 2,500 to 1 chance of taking home the AFC Championship, placing them at #10 out of 16 teams on the futures board.
Read also:
- BVB trails 1-0 against Paris, with Füllkrug leading them towards the final.
- Munich Drama: Late Real Penalty Leaves Bayern Shocked
- Lars is capable of leading BVB, according to many.
- Subsequent torrential rainfall leads to 48 fatalities due to partial highway collapse in China.
Source: www.casino.org
