Denver Broncos

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/263762

Just over 10 months since he suffered the knee injury that ended his 2022 season, Denver Broncos’ running back Javonte Williams is set to take a significant step in his recovery this weekend and play in a game. Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed after Tuesday's training camp practice what Williams has been hoping to hear, that Williams will play at least some in the Broncos' preseason game Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

"He's doing well, we'll have a plan — I plan on playing him," Payton said. "We'll see pitch count-wise towards the end of the week. We'll be smart, but I do see him playing."

Williams, a second-round draft pick by the Broncos in 2021 and an All-Rookie team member that season, suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee in the Broncos' Oct. 2 loss to the Raiders. He said he was initially given a timetable of 12-to-18 months to return to the field.

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/225809

KJ Hamler announced on his Instagram account he has been diagnosed with a "mild heart irritation, called pericarditis." He said he would miss some time but intended to be back on the field this season after treatment with medication. The Broncos waived Hamler with a non-football illness designation on Monday. Sources told ESPN the move was made to let him undergo treatment and potentially bring him back later if he is cleared.

The news came after Tim Patrick, who missed the 2022 season with a torn right ACL, was carted off the field during Monday's practice and is believed to have suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in his left leg, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/225794

Patrick was carted off the field with the injury and an MRI confirmed the Achilles tear, as first reported by 9News in Denver, meaning the receiver will miss his second consecutive season with an injury. Later Monday, the Broncos took another hit to their wide receiver depth chart when KJ Hamler announced on Instagram that he has been diagnosed with a "mild heart irritation, called pericarditis." He said he would miss some time but intended to be back on the field this season after treatment with medication. Patrick suffered his torn ACL on Aug. 5 last year. Monday, Patrick went to the ground when he made a cut during a 7-on-7 drill and there was no defender near him.

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/221374

In an interview with USA Today earlier this week, Payton called Hackett's 15-game run with the Broncos "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL" and said there were "20 dirty hands" around quarterback Russell Wilson's career-worst season that included just 16 touchdown passes and a league-high 55 sacks.

After Friday's training camp practice, Payton apologized and said he intends to reach out to Hackett, now the Jets’ offensive coordinator, and to Jets coach Robert Saleh.

Payton spoke to the Broncos players about his comments Thursday in a team meeting. "Listen, I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox [network television] hat on and not my coaching hat on," Payton said Friday. "I said this to the team: We've had a great offseason relative to that, I've been preaching that message, and here I am the veteran stepping in it. It was a learning experience for me, a mistake obviously. I need a little bit more filter." Payton added, "I needed a bit more restraint, I regret that."

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/208747

Denver Broncos defensive end Evioma Uwazurike has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL's policy on gambling, the league announced Monday. Uwazurike bet on NFL games during the 2022 season, the league said. He can petition for reinstatement no earlier than July 24, 2024.