Sports

Broncos place Jalen Virgil on IR and sign wide receiver Josh Hammond

August 22, 2023 / 11:21 AM MDT / AP

Lots to feel positive about after Broncos preseason loss

The Denver Broncos signed wide receiver Josh Hammond on Tuesday after placing wide receiver Jalen Virgil on injured reserve.

Virgil tore the meniscus in his right knee while trying to score at the end of a 50-yard catch-and-run just before halftime of the Broncos' preseason game against San Francisco on Saturday night. His ACL wasn't damaged but he'll need surgery.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 19: Denver Broncos wide receiver Jalen Virgil (15) got hurt during this play late in the second quarter of the game at Levis Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The hometown San Francisco 49ers took on the Denver Broncos during their second NFL preseason game of the 2023 season. RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Hammond is a second-year pro from the University of Florida who entered the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 and played in two games for them in 2021. He was on the DC Defenders for the 2023 XFL season, catching 34 passes for 331 yards and a touchdown.

Virgil's injury comes after Tim Patrick was lost for the season with a torn Achilles and KJ Hamler was diagnosed with a heart condition, leading to his release.