K.J. Hamler opens up about his "tweaked” hamstring

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Week 2 of Denver Broncos’ OTAs started with a sight nobody wants to see—K.J. Hamler on the sidelines.

After practice, Vic Fangio delivered the news no one wants to hear.

“KJ tweaked his hamstring, so we’re being cautious with that,” the head coach said after Tuesday’s practice, explaining why the second-year receiver wasn’t practicing.

Hamstring injuries are always concerning. But hamstring injuries on a speedy receiver who had nagging hamstring injuries last year is especially concerning.

During his rookie season, the 5-foot-9 speedster missed a majority of training camp along with two games at different points in the year due to his hamstring. Earlier in 2020, Hamler was dealing with another hamstring injury that held him out of running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Hamler’s hamstring tweak that surfaced on Tuesday was the fourth time his hamstring has flared up in less than 18 months, which is obviously a concern.

On Thursday, however, the 21-year old delivered some hope and potentially good news.

“With the hamstring situation, I’m good. It’s OTAs, offseason, just trying to keep stuff limited for me,” Hamler said. “I’ve been running. I’ve been running real good. Just getting back into the climate, the altitude, stuff like that. Just getting back in action. But I’m fine.”

That wasn’t the only encouraging news either. Hamler stated this most recent flareup was the first he’s had this entire offseason.

“I was just telling my coach, I’ve never had a hamstring problem until I came here,” he said. “There might be stuff around it that really causes it. Like it might be my hips or my gluten, my groin, stuff like that. I’m still trying to figure out and learn the different ways of trying to keep the things healthy. Because when I’m healthy, I think I can bring a big impact to this team.”

As a promising second-round pick just a year ago, the Broncos certainly agree with Hamler’s final sentiment. While he didn’t have a breakout rookie season, he did show plenty of flashes.

In his first two games in the NFL, the rookie combined to have six catches for 78 yards. Over 16 games, that would have equated to 48 catches for 624 yards, which would have been very encouraging for a rookie.

Hamler also had an eight-game stretch during the season where he had 23 receptions for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Over the course of an entire season, that would have been just shy of 50 receptions and 600 receiving yards. The final game of that eight-game stretch was Hamler’s best game as a pro.

Against the Carolina Panthers, Hamler hauled in two bombs from Drew Lock for a total of 86 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think I can be a difference maker any time I’m on the field,” Hamler stated with confidence on Thursday. “I think that I can bring the spark to the offense.”

But as Hamler knows, his ability on the field only matters if he’s available.

“One thing I’ve learned is to just have a routine,” Hamler said, detailing what he learned from his rookie season. “Having a routine—what I need to do before practice, what I need to do after practice, how many meals do I got to eat. I didn’t start picking it up until my junior year in college. Just trying to be more of a professional. I’ve gotten way better at that.”

A major part of his routine centers around taking care of his body the best possible way so he can stay healthy and on the field. This year, cold tubs, hot tubs, stretching and band work are all staples of his routine.

“I’m just trying to be the best version of me just so I can get back out there and be with the guys,” he said. “I’m limited to practice right now, but I’m fine. But it still sucks to be on the sideline. I’ve never really been that type of guy that just walks around—that’s one thing I hate. But I think everything’s going to be good though.”

During the offseason, Hamler specifically focused on staying durable. Entering Year 2, Hamler “definitely” feels a difference and improvement in his body.

“I did a lot of single arm, single leg stuff, more body control things. Band work for hips and stuff like that, you know just to get my body up to par,” Hamler said, explaining his offseason work. “I know last year I played at, I think, 170. I’m 181 right now, so. I feel better. I feel stronger. I feel faster. So just trying to improve every day.”

Hamler’s hamstring improving every day would be a major win for himself and the Broncos. Fortunately, Hamler believes his most recent hamstring tweak was more of a speed bump than an engine failure.