Javonte Williams avoids the PUP list, others are not so lucky

Javonte Williams is back.

The Broncos announced four transactions on Sunday:

• They placed outside linebacker Baron Browning and wide receiver Kendall Hinton on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
• They placed wide receiver KJ Hamler and nose tackle Mike Purcell on the Non-Football Injury list.

The PUP and NFI lists mean players can’t participate in on-field practices but can attend meetings and other activities. The player can be activated at any time, but if he isn’t activated by Week 1 of the regular season,, he must sit out the first six weeks. Players on both lists count toward the 90-man offseason roster limit but won’t count against the 53-man regular-season limit unless activated.

The Broncos also signed kicker Brett Maher earlier this week, according to multiple reports. The Broncos have not confirmed this move and will have to release a player from their roster when the signing becomes official.

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The big news on Sunday was the players who weren’t on the list, including running back Javonte Williams, wide receiver Tim Patrick and safety JL Skinner.

Williams, 23, sustained a multi-ligament knee tear in October of last year. Given the nature of his injury, his return seemed more likely to occur near the middle of the regular season. Reports during the offseason were positive, and Williams participated in portions of offseason training activities, but dodging the PUP list is the most encouraging development since the injury.

Williams may or may not be a full participant on Day 1 of training camp on Friday—I’d bet against it—but he appears to be within reach of returning to play. An appearance in the Broncos’ Week 1 contest against the Raiders may be on the way.

Patrick, 29, tore his ACL in August and was expected to return for the season’s start. His exclusion from the PUP list means the Broncos expect he’ll be at least a partial participant on Friday.

Skinner, a 22-year-old rookie safety out of Boise State, tore his pectoral muscle before the draft, which was part of the reason he fell to the sixth round. He believed he was on track to avoid the PUP list during the draft process, and he was correct.

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Wide receiver KJ Hamler, 24, is recovering from surgery for a torn pec sustained while working out away from Broncos facilities this offseason. His initial timeline had him slated for a return sometime around the start of training camp, so he may be back on the field soon.

Since the Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Hamler has only played 23 of a possible 50 games because of various injuries. He’s put up 620 yards and a trio of touchdowns in those games.

Despite his draft status, Hamler is not a lock to make the Broncos roster. Four jobs are locked up by Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and second-round rookie Marvin Mims. Hamler will compete for one of the remaining two or three jobs. Holdovers like Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, Montrell Washington and Kendall Hinton will be part of the competition. So will new additions Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

Hamler is the fastest player on the Broncos’ roster and probably the most talented receiver among those who aren’t locked into a job. Regardless, he’ll need to prove himself to the Broncos’ new coaching staff in order to stay in Denver this season.

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Wide receiver Kendall Hinton, 26, had a “minor knee cleanup” recently, according to 9News’ Mike Klis, and the Broncos expect him to be back on the field during training camp.

Like Hamler, Hinton faces stiff competition to make the Broncos’ roster. He’s the best true slot receiver on the roster, and he has plenty of special teams experience, but the depth of the Broncos’ receivers room probably means he’s facing an uphill battle.

Hinton spent his rookie season on the Broncos’ practice squad, except for the game he played at quarterback because the Broncos’ quarterbacks were suspended for violating the NFL’s Covid-19 protocols. In each of the past two seasons, Hinton started the season on the Broncos’ practice squad but played at least 12 games. He has 486 career receiving yards and a touchdown.

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Baron Browning, 24, is recovering from a partially torn meniscus that leaves his status for the start of the season in doubt.

Browning flashed the athletically ability that made him a five-star recruit in high school when the Broncos switched him to outside linebacker before last season. He had eight tackles for loss and five sacks while starting eight games.

Browning’s job isn’t in jeopardy but his starting role could be. The Broncos brought in veteran pass rusher Frank Clark this offseason. If Denver puts Clark on a snap count, Browning would likely hold onto the starting job in the base defense. If the Broncos don’t feel the need to put a snap limit on Clark, who only turned 30 last month, then the three-time Pro-Bowler could cut significantly into Browning’s role.

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Mike Purcell, 32, is on the Non-Football Injury list with an undisclosed injury. He was in attendance did not participate in OTAs.

Purcell has been a steady contributor in the Broncos’ defense in each of the past four seasons. He’s played about half of the defensive snaps in each campaign. Last season, he finished second on the team behind Alex Singleton with 21 run stops.

Purcell’s job should be safe, and he’ll probably keep his role as the third starting defensive lineman in the Broncos’ base defense, but a new coaching staff means anything is possible. The Broncos could save $3.5 million by moving on from him before the season.