There will be no comeback for Ben Hamilton this year.
The concussion suffered by the Broncos’ starting left guard early in training camp never sufficiently cleared, leading coach Mike Shanahan to have a heart-to-heart discussion this week with Hamilton and his wife Jeanne.
Following that conversation, the Broncos decided today to place Hamilton on injured reserve, a transaction that officially ends his season.
“”I just felt that if it was my son and he was Ben that there was no way I would want him to play with what he has been going through,” Shanahan said. “And even though Ben really didn’t want to go on IR because he was hoping any week the symptoms would clear up, it would still probably take him a month to get in football shape.”
Hamilton started every game in each of the previous five seasons, but he was dinged early in training camp. He returned a couple days later, but felt nauseous following any type of strenuous activity.
He saw a neurologist in Pittsburgh, who recommended two weeks of inactivity. But when the symptoms continued, the Broncos decided it was time to move on.
Hamilton will not suffer financially from the move as his $2.75 million salary was guaranteed once he made the 53-man, season-opening roster. He has been replaced in the starting lineup by Chris Myers, a fine run blocker but is adjusting to the speed of NFL pass rushers.
“I’ve been hoping for the best for Ben,” Myers said. “I’ve been taking the approach that I was filling in for him until he came back. It’s bad news to hear, it’s very unfortunate. I’m hoping he takes his time and everything works out so he comes back ready to go next year.”
With the return of rookie left tackle Ryan Harris from back surgery, the Broncos can count on Chris Kuper to become their top reserve at both guard positions. The team will add another player to their 53-man roster by early next week.
Walker, Lynch practice
Broncos’ safety John Lynch (strained groin) and receiver Javon Walker (inflamed knee) each practiced today for the first time this week. Both are listed as questionable on the injury report. Lynch agrees with that assessment in his case, but Walker said he would list himself as “definitely playing.”
“It was just irritation from playing, starting in training camp and just started getting a little more irritated as we went along,” Walker said. “This is not a repaired knee or anything like that. This was just a situation where you want to give it a rest, get the fluid out of there. It’s no problem.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
