Tag: Alex Singleton

Broncos have 3 linebackers signed for 2025 season

With just three inside linebackers under contract, the Broncos need to address the ILB position during the offseason.

With Cody Barton, Justin Strnad and Zach Cunningham all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in March, the Denver Broncos only have three inside linebackers under contract for 2025 (and there are caveats).

The most notable ILB signed for next year is veteran Alex Singleton, but is 31 years old and coming off a torn ACL. Singleton is currently scheduled to have a $6.9 million salary cap hit in 2025 and Denver could save $5.58 million if the linebacker is released.

So there’s no guarantee Singleton will still be on the roster next fall. Even if he returns on a reduced salary, Singleton might not return to his pre-injury form.

The second ILB* signed is Drew Sanders, but there’s an asterisk because there’s still uncertainty on whether Sanders will play primarily as an inside or outside linebacker. After returning from injury, he played 18 snaps on defense in four games in 2024 as a rotational linebacker.

The third LB under contract is K.J. Cloyd, who signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January after competing on the practice squad in 2024. Cloyd seems unlikely to be more than a rotational backup and special teams contributor if he makes the active roster in 2025.

It’s clear that the Broncos will need to add at least one starting-caliber inside linebacker this offseason, if not two. Even if the team re-signs Barton, Denver needs to add more talent at the position in 2025.

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Broncos Alex Singleton, Wil Lutz perform in Colorado Ballet’s Nutcracker play

Broncos K Wil Lutz and LB Alex Singleton made special appearances in the Colorado Ballet’s performance of ‘The Nutcracker” this week.

Two members of the Denver Broncos showed their athletic ability off the field when they appeared as special guest artists in The Nutcracker on Sunday night.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz and linebacker Alex Singleton made a special appearance on the stage of the Colorado Ballet’s performance of the Christmas classic, carrying a litter.

Singleton gave his performance a 7/10, while Lutz gave himself an 8/10.

Lutz is having himself an impressive year, earning two AFC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades so far in 2024 (in Weeks 3 and 12).

Singleton’s season has been a bit of a roller coaster, as he tore his ACL (and still played 57 snaps) in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. Despite this setback, Singleton was selected by the Broncos as their 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. In his stage appearance, Singleton performed admirably, if we do say so ourselves!

You can watch their brief appearance below:

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Broncos nominate Alex Singleton for Walter Payton Man of the Year

Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton was named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee for 2024.

The Denver Broncos nominated linebacker Alex Singleton for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, the team announced Thursday.

“Considered the NFL’s most prestigious honor, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recognizes a player for his outstanding leadership both on the field and in the community,” said the Broncos in a press release.

Singleton’s work off the field is something close to his heart; work with the Special Olympics. “Singleton’s older sister, Ashley, has been a Special Olympics athlete for more than 20 years, inspiring him to become an advocate for the organization,” said the statement. Singleton’s sister helped announce his nomination, wearing a shirt that read, “My brother is the Broncos’ Walter Payton Man of the Year.”

Singleton has experienced a roller coaster of a season, being voted a captain before the year began, and then tearing his ACL in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite playing all 57 snaps during the game.

You can watch Singleton’s reaction to his nomination below.

“Previous Broncos nominees for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award include tackle Garett Bolles (2023), guard Dalton Risner (2022), safety Justin Simmons (2019-21), outside linebacker Von Miller (2018) and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (2017). John Elway (1992) is the only Broncos nominee to win the national award, which was first given in 1970 and renamed after the Chicago Bears’ Pro Football Hall of Fame running back in 1999,” said the release.

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This is why Alex Singleton was Wil Lutz’s biggest fan on Sunday

“He’s very grateful,” Wil Lutz said of scoring for Alex Singleton’s fantasy football team. “He reminded me of that after every one of them.”

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz had a big game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Lutz converted 38-, 53-, 54-, 45- and 33-yard field goals and converted two extra-point attempts, accounting for 17 of Denver’s 29 points on the day.

Nobody was happier about Lutz’s performance than injured Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton, who started his teammate in fantasy football.

“17 points, but 22 points for Alex Singleton’s fantasy team,” Lutz said after the game. Singleton’s league must give bonuses for long field goals. “He’s very grateful. He reminded me of that after every one of them.”

Lutz is 13-of-13 on kicks since the team’s last-second field goal attempt against the Kansas City Chiefs was blocked in Week 10.

“Listen, he’s been kicking well,” coach Sean Payton said after a 29-19 win in Las Vegas. “His Kansas City kick got blocked, but it was a good kick. That was on us as coaches. That wasn’t on any individual player. Wil is doing well. Shoot, he’s got a live leg. He was solid today. Yeah, his body of work has been really good.”

Lutz is 24-of-27 on field goal attempts this season with a long of 54 yards. He’s 26-of-26 on extra points attempts, scoring 98 points so far in 2024.

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Broncos are giving trial runs to a pair of linebackers

Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham are expected to both use up their three practice squad elevations before the Broncos make a decision.

After losing inside linebacker Alex Singleton to a season-ending knee injury in September, the Denver Broncos signed veterans Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham to their practice squad.

It took the players a few weeks to get up to speed and Justin Strnad started in Singleton’s place from Weeks 4-6. Denver then elevated Alexander from the practice squad to the game-day roster in Week 7.

Practice squad players can be elevated to the game-day rost three times during a season. Alexander’s three elevations were used from Weeks 7-9. After that, the Broncos elevated Cunningham in Weeks 10 and 11. He will likely be elevated a third and final time in Week 12.

Denver seems to be giving the two linebackers a trial run before potentially deciding who ends up on the 53-man roster. Alexander got three games and Cunningham is on the verge of making his third appearance this weekend. After that, one of them could end up on the active roster for the final stretch of the season.

Cunningham did not play in his first game. He totaled three tackles on 11 snaps last week. Alexander recorded eight tackles on 65 snaps in his three appearances, including two starts.

Right now, Alexander seems like the favorite to eventually end up on the 53-man roster, but Cunningham will (presumably) get one more opportunity to impress in Week 12.

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Sean Payton hints linebacker could join Broncos’ 53-man roster next week

Kwon Alexander can be elevated from the practice squad one more time. After that, he’s a likely candidate to be fully promoted to the 53.

The Denver Broncos may have found their Alex Singleton replacement.

After losing Singleton to a season-ending torn ACL, the Broncos signed two veteran linebackers — Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham — to their practice squad. Alexander has been elevated to the game-day roster in each of the team’s last two games.

Alexander (13 snaps) did not end up playing as much as Justin Strnad (37 snaps) last week, but it appears that Denver could be ramping him up for a bigger role.

“We go back and forth based on what our package is,” coach Sean Payton said of the linebacker rotation. “So a lot of it has to do with who we’re playing. A lot of it has to do with, ‘What’s our personnel? Are we in base? Are we in penny?’ and then, ‘Who are we playing?’ relative to those decisions.”

Alexander can be elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster one more time without having to clear waivers. Payton was asked this week if the linebacker is a candidate to eventually be fully promoted to the 53-man roster.

“Yes,” Payton said. “In other words, we brought in two veteran linebackers. The good news is that decisions isn’t now, but we brought in both those players because they have a lot of experience. They’ve played at a real high level, and they give us some flexibility.”

After Alexander uses his final elevation (presumably this week), he will likely be a top candidate to get activated to the 53-man roster. That transaction could happen as soon as next week.

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Broncos now have 7 players on injured reserve or PUP list

Going into Week 8, the Broncos have 5 players on injured reserve and 2 players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

After activating three players from injured reserve last week, the Denver Broncos still have seven players on IR or physically unable to perform lists going into week 8. Five of those players will be eligible to return later this season.

Broncos running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return in Week 9, and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) can return in Week 10.

Denver linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) have been eligible to return from the PUP list since Week 5, but they apparently still need more time to recover.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return Week 9
  4. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return Week 10
  5. C Luke Wattenberg: Eligible to return Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending injured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

If healthy, Badie could return after Denver hosts the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.

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Broncos LB Alex Singleton shares injury update on social media

“Thank you everyone for the positive vibes and prayers today,” Alex Singleton wrote. “Going to attack this like everything else full speed!”

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Alex Singleton underwent successful ACL surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

After the surgery, Singleton shared a positive update on social media.

“Road to recovery starts now!” Singleton wrote on his Instagram and X pages. “Thank you everyone for the positive vibes and prayers today. Going to attack this like everything else full speed! Go Broncos!!”

Singleton, who will turn 31 in December, tore his ACL during a 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. The veteran linebacker did not realize the severity of his injury and played the final 49 snaps on defense.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBKt-ezP3Yk/?hl=en

After the game, Singleton reported a sore knee and tests revealed his torn ACL. The linebacker now begins the road to recovery with a goal of returning in time for the 2025 season next fall.

In the meantime, the Broncos have turned to Justin Strnad to fill in at linebacker, starting next to Cody Barton in Singleton’s old position.

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Broncos could have multiple players return from injured reserve this week

The bad news: Broncos have a short week. Good news: Denver has several players eligible to return from injured reserve ahead of TNF.

Denver Broncos running back Audric Estime (ankle) returned from injured reserve last week and more reinforcements could be on the way this week.

The Broncos will have a short week ahead of a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints, but the list of players eligible to return from IR ahead of Week 7 includes right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL), outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle).

If healthy, McGlinchey will immediately return to starting at right tackle. Mathis could be returning just in time to provide more depth at cornerback after star Pat Surtain suffered a concussion on Sunday.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) have been eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list since Week 5, but they might need more time to recover.

Denver running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return in Week 9. Center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) are eligible to return in Week 10.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. CB Damarri Mathis: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  4. OT Mike McGlinchey: Eligible to return Week 7
  5. OLB Baron Browning: Eligible to return Week 7
  6.  RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return Week 9
  7. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return Week 10
  8. C Luke Wattenberg: Eligible to return Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending inured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

Denver will have two light practices leading up to TNF this week.

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Broncos now have 10 players on injured reserve or PUP list

Going into Week 6, the Broncos have 8 players on injured reserve and 2 players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

The Denver Broncos have ten players on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list going into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Eight of those players will be eligible to return later this season.

Denver activated running back Audric Estime (ankle) from IR to the 53-man roster on Saturday and placed center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) on IR. Wattenberg and Reynolds can return in Week 10.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) have been eligible to return from the PUP list since Week 5, but they still need more time to recover.

Denver cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) is also eligible to return from IR but wasn’t activated this week.

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) can return in Week 7. Denver running back Tyler Badie (back) will be eligible to return in Week 9.

Broncos eligible to return from IR/PUP

  1. CB Damarri Mathis: Eligible to return since Week 5
  2. LB Drew Sanders: Eligible to return since Week 5
  3. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: Eligible to return since Week 5
  4. OT Mike McGlinchey: Eligible to return Week 7
  5. OLB Baron Browning: Eligible to return Week 7
  6.  RB Tyler Badie: Eligible to return Week 9
  7. WR Josh Reynolds: Eligible to return Week 10
  8. C Luke Wattenberg: Eligible to return Week 10

The Broncos also have two players — linebacker Alex Singleton (ACL) and offensive lineman Quinn Bailey (ankle) — who are on season-ending IR.

Broncos on season-ending inured reserve

  1. LB Alex Singleton: Out for season
  2. OL Quinn Bailey: Out for season

If healthy, McGlinchey can be activated in time for the team’s Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.

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