The Denver Broncos are riding high, winners of their last eight straight contests, and they could get a significant boost soon in the form of team captains Alex Singleton at linebacker and, at cornerback, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II.
How soon, though, remains unclear.
Technically, both players could play as soon as this week, when the Broncos will visit the Washington Commanders. Still, Payton’s remarks on the situation drew attention.
Sean Payton Gets Honest About Alex Singleton, Pat Surtain II
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during a game against the Houston Texans.
Singleton missed the Broncos’ Week 11 win over the Kansas City Chiefs following surgery to address testicular cancer. The issue was only discovered after a urinalysis revealed elevated hormone levels.
Surtain has missed three games due to a pectoral strain.
The Broncos did not place either on injured reserve, indicating an expectation for the duo to return in fewer than four games. Payton, however, remained mum on their respective statuses.
“I would never get into that on a Monday. I appreciate the question, though,” Payton told reporters on November 24, before he was pressed on whether he was encouraged by the two highly valued defensive starters’ progress.
“Again, I wouldn’t get into anything injury-related, but I appreciate the question.”
The Broncos have remained stingy in Singleton and Surtain’s absence, but their presence on the field would further elevate one of the league’s best units.
Alex Singleton, Pat Surtain II Expected Back vs Commanders
GettyPat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans.
While Payton has remained mum about Surtain, there have been outside expectations that he and Singleton will both be able to return to the field for the Broncos in Week 13 against the Commanders.
“It certainly felt all along like the Broncos were hoping and planning to have him back Nov. 30 against Washington. The bye week factored squarely into injured reserve consideration because it meant Surtain had nearly five full weeks from when he got hurt to that game. If he’s back for it, he’ll have only missed three,” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel wrote on November 19.
“Obviously, he’ll have to continue to make progress without setbacks, but it’d be a mild to moderate surprise if he’s not back out there next time Denver takes the field.”
The Broncos have allowed 184.7 passing yards per game during Surain’s absence.
That is an improvement over their 186.3 YPG mark allowed with him in the lineup over the first eight weeks of the season. However, there is no mistaking how much the Broncos miss Singleton and Surtain on the field.
Broncos Announced Support for Alex Singleton Following Cancer Diagnosis
GettyAlex Singleton #49 of the Denver Broncos celebrates an incomplete pass against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Broncos issued a message of support for Singleton. He played against the Las Vegas Raiders on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 10 after receiving his diagnosis. They urged the seventh-year pro to “#FightLikeABronco.”
“ILB Alex Singleton on Friday underwent successful surgery for testicular cancer, which was diagnosed last week. Alex is recovering well from the procedure with doctors optimistic he could return to play in the coming weeks pending additional test results,” the Broncos posted on X on November 10.
“Our No. 1 priority is Alex’s health and well-being, and we are grateful it appears the cancer was caught early.”
Singleton is in his fourth season with the Broncos after three years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Broncos Draw Attention With Update on Pat Surtain II, Broncos Captain