Broncos Place WR Jalen Virgil on Season-Ending Injured Reserve

Any optimism over a potential 2023 return for wide receiver Jalen Virgil (knee) dissipated Tuesday when the Denver Broncos placed the second-year speedster on season-ending injured reserve, the team announced.

WR Josh Hammond was signed in a corresponding roster move, as reported Monday.

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Virgil suffered a torn meniscus during Saturday's preseason loss to San Francisco. The injury — for which he'll undergo corrective surgery — occurred following a 50-yard reception in the closing seconds of the first half.

Undrafted out of Appalachian State in 2022, Virgil had been trending toward making the Broncos' final roster, a primary reserve behind starting receivers Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Marvin Mims.

There was initial optimism that he could be back within six weeks, but the meniscus tear will require a full repair and a months-long rehabilitation process.

"God gives his toughest battles to his toughest warriors," Virgil wrote on Instagram Sunday. "Not the way I envisioned my year starting off, but I believe everything happens for a reason. Adversity introduces a man to himself. Nothing but a minor setback for a major comeback."

Virgil is the second major hit to Denver's wideout room in as many months, after the club lost projected starter Tim Patrick to a torn Achilles at the onset of training camp.

Follow Zack on Twitter @KelbermanNFL

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!