The Denver Broncos suffered a big blow Wednesday with word that top tackler Alex Singleton's season is over because of a torn ACL.
Coach Sean Payton announced the bad news after the team's first practice at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where the Broncos (1-2) are working out ahead of their grudge match Sunday at the Meadowlands against the New York Jets (2-1).
The Broncos' starting inside linebacker and defensive captain, Singleton was injured in the first half of Denver's 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend but played all 57 defensive snaps and led the Broncos with 10 tackles.
“I couldn't tell” he was hurting, fellow defensive captain Patrick Surtain II said. “I mean, he played lights out with a missing ACL. That's a testament to the type of player he is. Alex, he's a true competitor ... and seeing a guy out there just give it all for his team speaks volumes for the type of person he is.”
“It just shows how tough he is, shows how much of a leader he is," concurred quarterback Bo Nix, who added, "It exemplifies what it means to be a captain and that's why he's one of ours.”
Payton said Singleton got injured on a play where safety Brandon Jones intercepted Baker Mayfield on the Buccaneers' second series midway through the first quarter. That was Singleton's eighth snap, meaning he played 49 more while hurt.
“It was kind of remarkable," Payton said.
Singleton reported soreness after the game and went for a precautionary MRI, the results of which surprised the coaching staff and Singleton himself, Payton said.
Singleton, who will have surgery in two weeks, led the Broncos in tackles each of the last two seasons with 163 stops in 2022 and 177 last year. Through three weeks this season, he led the team with 31 tackles.
“You can't replace a guy like Alex," Nix said, "but you can rise up around him.”
The Broncos promoted running back Tyler Badie from their practice squad to fill Singleton's roster spot and added a couple of inside linebackers to their practice squad in Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham, both of whom were at Wednesday's practice.
Singleton is in the second season of the three-year, $18 million contract extension he signed in 2023. He earned his first captainship during training camp this summer following the departure of fellow inside linebacker Josey Jewell in free agency.
Singleton also wore the green dot on his helmet, signifying he was the one getting the defensive signals transmitted to him from the sideline.
“Yeah, we’re going to miss him out there on the field,” Surtain said. "But obviously it’s the next man up. It’s an opportunity for the next guys to step in and step up.”
Payton wouldn’t say who will get first crack at that, relaying that he told his team, “I’m not worried about who takes his spot; it’s everyone else picking up the slack.”
Denver ranks third in total defense and second in passing defense so far, and Singleton was as big a reason as any that Denver is allowing just 15.3 points per game.
Notes: Badie was a game-day practice squad call-up the last two weeks and averaged a whopping 8.6 yards on 10 carries. “He's been real decisive, he's had some big runs for us,” Payton said. “He's smart, he knows the system, he's good in the passing game. He brings a lot.”
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