SEATTLE — Out several days because of a hamstring injury, DaeSean Hamilton joined the rest of the Broncos receivers taking part in warm-ups before the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against Atlanta on Aug. 1.

Hamilton wasn’t out there to make a statement. He simply wanted to feel the atmosphere.

“Just a little something,” he said. “Nothing crazy.”

Hamilton returned to practice on Monday and played in Thursday night’s game against Seattle.

His roster spot is secure — if the season started this weekend, Hamilton would be the No. 3 or 4 receiver with Tim Patrick taking the other spot.

But in an offense that is expected to mix a steady diet of two-tight end and tailback-fullback personnel groups, Hamilton knows he must show play-caller Rich Scangarello he can be a reliable option.

“I don’t like sitting out; I don’t like not practicing,” he said. “I was just being patient and (coach Vic Fangio) told me it’s a long training camp so there was no reason to rush (back). But it was hard watching everybody playing football and you don’t get the chance to. I was happy to be back (Sunday). It felt good to get back in the swing of things.”

Hamilton, a fourth-round draft pick from Penn State in 2018, started last year as the fourth receiver in a three-man rotation behind Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas, and fellow rookie Courtland Sutton. Hamilton had only three catches in the first seven games (all against the New York Jets in Week 5).

His season was derailed when he sustained an MCL injury against Arizona in Week 7 while on punt return duties. He missed two games.

Opportunities down the stretch, though, were created when Thomas was traded to Houston and Sanders sustained a torn Achilles. Over the final four games, Hamilton had 26 catches.

The key for Hamilton’s development is making more big plays. His 8.1-yard per catch average last year was 80th among the 81 players who had at least 30 catches. Only Pittsburgh’s Ryan Switzer (7.03-yard average) trailed him.

Hamilton had seven-catch games against San Francisco and Cleveland last year in consecutive games. The catches against the 49ers gained seven, minus-1, four, 14, four, 18 and one yards. The catches against the Browns gained 14, four, minus-3, 14, nine, eight and zero yards.

In those two games, Hamilton caught passes after lining up wide right, slot right/left, bunch right/left and in motion behind the quarterback. Related Articles Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

After Broncos let him walk in free agency, Tampa Bay’s Shaquil Barrett returns to Denver as one of NFL’s best pass-rushers

The next opportunity in Jeff Driskel’s winding football journey: Starting at quarterback for Broncos

Broncos rookie wideout KJ Hamler, fully healed from hamstring injury, poised for NFL breakout

🔊 Broncos podcast: Previewing Denver’s must-win Week 3 home showdown against Tampa Bay

His goal for the rest of the preseason?

“Be somebody that (quarterback) Joe (Flacco) can rely on and he can just look anywhere on the field and I’ll have some separation and I can make a play,” Hamilton said. “That’s what I’m trying to do every day — get consistent separation and make plays and be relied upon to make the first down.”

In addition to receiver, the Broncos’ punt return spot is wide open, but Hamilton would prefer his impact be strictly as a receiver.

“I didn’t come here to be a punt returner, but I came here to do whatever the Broncos want me to do,” he said. “If they need one, I’m comfortable enough to go back there.”