Return game could help secure roster spot for Hamler

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio preached the importance of special teams in shaping the running backs room on Saturday, but the sentiment also applies to another deep position group: wide receiver.

Courtland Sutton has returned to Pro Bowl form after his ACL injury last season, Jerry Jeudy is a budding star and Tim Patrick continues to standout, leaving just a few open roster spots at wide receiver. Even guys like Trinity Benson and Kendall Hinton have flashed this offseason.

So, the path to the 53-man roster for a guy like K.J. Hamler runs through the special teams unit, specifically the return game.

“I want to do anything that’s going to help this team. They want to put me back there at punt return, kick return, I’m comfortable back there,” Hamler said after practice on Saturday.

Hamler said he’s “still learning,” and he still must overtake incumbent returner Diontae Spencer, but special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said this week he’s “extremely interested” in seeing Hamler field punts and kicks this preseason, especially if he prove he can make clean catches.

“He has to play with that confidence. To end up making this a true competition, if you hand them both the ball, he and ‘Spence,’ they both can run with it. But he’s got to prove he can catch it, and he’s got to prove it to himself and then take off with it,” McMahon said. “We shouldn’t have to use Bryce (Callahan) in games to go fair catch when KJ is active.”

McMahon not only touted Hamler’s ability, calling him “a weapon,” but also his maturity in working on his return skills, saying there’s “no question” he’s improved at catching punts and kicks.

“He has taken off. He wants that job,” McMahon said. “It’s competitive, and there’s other involved, but there’s competition there.”